Gujarat Titans displayed remarkable composure under pressure to secure a thrilling five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 25 of the TATA IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Chasing 181, GT got home in 19.4 overs, extending their winning streak to three matches and collecting two crucial points.
KKR, after electing to bat, found themselves in early trouble but were rescued by a fighting knock from Cameron Green. The Australian all-rounder played with authority, smashing 79 off 55 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes) to propel his team to a competitive 180 all out. Early jolts saw KKR reeling, but Green’s counter-attacking innings, supported by a late flourish from the lower order, kept them in the contest.
GT’s bowling attack rose to the occasion on a pitch that offered assistance. Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj struck at vital junctures with sharp spells, while Rashid Khan exerted tight control in the middle overs, dismissing Green towards the end and preventing the innings from exploding. Their disciplined effort restricted KKR despite the Green fireworks.
In the chase, skipper Shubman Gill led from the front with a sublime 86 off 50 balls, blending elegant timing with aggressive intent. His knock kept GT firmly in the driver’s seat even as wickets fell around him at regular intervals. Gill’s dismissal in the latter stages injected tension into the night, leaving the home side needing calm heads in the death overs.
Step up Glenn Phillips and Rahul Tewatia, whose composed contributions steered GT across the finish line. Tewatia remained unbeaten with a handy 7 off 6, while Shahrukh Khan chipped in with an unbeaten 3 as the winning runs came off a slower delivery from Ramandeep Singh. The victory underlined GT’s depth and mental strength at home.
With this win, Gujarat Titans continue to impress in IPL 2026, showcasing all-round balance that makes them serious contenders. KKR, despite Green’s heroics, will need to address their top-order fragility and bowling consistency as the tournament progresses.
Kolkata Knight Riders Captain Ajinkya Rahane:
It is never easy to speak after a loss, but I want to focus on the positives, especially the way we responded after losing a couple of early wickets. Cameron Green was outstanding under pressure, and his counterattacking innings gave us real momentum. Getting from one forty-seven for four to one eighty was not simple, and full credit to the bowlers for taking the game till the final over. In the second innings, the ball held a bit on back-of-a-length deliveries while fuller balls came on nicely, but there are no excuses, and Gill batted really well. Green could not bowl due to cramps, and from here it is about staying in the moment, enjoying the game, backing ourselves, and controlling what we can control with positive intent from ball one.
