Follow UsGujarat Titans (GT) put up a complete performance on a tricky Eden Gardens surface and hammered Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 39 runs in Match 39 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on April 21 (Monday). KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane felt it was the batters who let them down, despite GT scoring an above-par 198/3 on a challenging surface.
GT’s in-form openers Shubman Gill (90 off 55) and Sai Sudharsan (52 off 36) showed their class once again before Jos Buttler smashed 41* off 23 to propel the Titans closer to the 200-run mark. KKR never looked alive in the run-chase, especially Rashid Khan (2/25) and R Sai Kishore (1/19) were introduced into the attack. Rahane (36-ball 50) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (13-ball 27*) were the only two KKR batters who looked fluent.
“I thought 199 was chaseable, we came back into the game really well with the ball. When you are chasing 199, you expect good opening start with the batters, that's where we are struggling throughout this tournament. I thought 199 was chaseable on this wicket, we bowled really well, we faltered with our batting. It was a little slow, but we thought if we got them below 200, it'll be really good,” said Rahane after KKR’s fifth defeat in eight games.
“We know these conditions really well, we need to bat properly, we need to bat well in the middle overs, that's where we are struggling. When you're chasing a big target, you expect a good start with the opening batters. That's what we are looking to get better, as a batting unit, no complains with our bowlers. Bowlers are doing really good job game after game.”
KKR have been one of the worst batting units in the IPL 2025. The defending champions have the worst batting average (23.4) and second-worst scoring rate (8.9) in the tournament. “As a batting unit, you've got to be brave, take the chances and take the positive mindset. If you think about getting out, you'll get out. If you think about getting runs, it's always about that. I am sure our batters are thinking about it. It's just a matter of time, we've got quality batters in the middle order and I back them completely.”
Meanwhile, the Titans now have six wins in eight matches and are currently at the top of the IPL 2025 points table. “Very pleased to get these two wins back to back. We just want to play our best game whenever we're out there. We spoke about these two matches - that they're going to decide where we stand on the table,” said GT skipper Gill.
It was a perfect game for GT but Gill feels they can still improve. “In this format, it's difficult to have a perfect game. There will always be some areas. Like today as well - we could've got 10 runs more had I stayed there. And a couple of unforced errors in the bowling. But the main thing is even if you're not playing the perfect game, you've got to find a way to win, and that's what we're really good at.”