Kolkata, April 21 (ANI) — After a commanding 39-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens, Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Shubman Gill praised his team’s execution while acknowledging room for improvement, especially in finishing their innings more strongly.
“We were ahead in the game, but it’s important to close the game. Good teams close the game very well,” Gill remarked during the post-match presentation.
Strategic Partnership, Strong Finish
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, GT set a formidable target of 198/3, thanks to a stellar opening partnership of 114 runs between Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Gill played a captain’s knock, scoring 90 off 55 deliveries, including 10 fours and 3 sixes. Sudharsan contributed a classy 52 off 36 balls, while Jos Buttler chipped in with a fiery 41 off 23 balls* to cap off the innings.
Despite the convincing win, Gill noted that the team could have pushed for 10 more runs had he stayed longer at the crease.
“In this format it is very difficult to have a perfect game… maybe 10 more runs if I had stayed there. But still, you have to find a way to win the game, and that is what we are really good at,” he said.
Clinical Bowling Display
During the chase, KKR faltered against a disciplined GT bowling attack. Only captain Ajinkya Rahane stood out with a valiant 50 off 36 balls, but the rest of the lineup struggled to keep up.
GT bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan both delivered identical spells of 2/25, dismantling KKR’s middle order and restricting them to 159/8 in 20 overs.
Points Table Impact
With this win, GT have now notched up six wins from eight matches, reclaiming the top spot on the IPL 2025 points table with 12 points. Meanwhile, KKR have now suffered their fifth loss, slipping to seventh place with just three wins.
Player of the Match
Gill was deservedly awarded Player of the Match for his match-defining innings.
The Titans now look like strong contenders as the tournament approaches its second half, while KKR will need to regroup quickly if they hope to revive their title defense.
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