In a crucial encounter at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and made a confident decision to bat first against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 25th match of TATA IPL 2026.
The move comes as KKR find themselves in a precarious position with just one point from their opening five games. Rahane’s side is under immense pressure to deliver a turnaround, and batting first could allow their batters to play with freedom and set a challenging total without the immediate burden of chasing.
Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, enter the contest on a high, boasting a strong recent form and a formidable playing XI packed with international firepower.
Playing XIs
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Sunil Narine, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi.
*(One change: Tim Seifert replaces Finn Allen)*
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI):
Shubman Gill (c), B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ashok Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.
GT’s lineup features explosive batters like Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan, complemented by a lethal bowling attack led by Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj. The home side will look to exploit any early movement or spin on the Ahmedabad pitch while chasing.
KKR, meanwhile, will rely on the experience of Rahane and Rinku Singh, the all-round abilities of Sunil Narine and Cameron Green, and the pace of Vaibhav Arora and Kartik Tyagi to make an impact.
The high-stakes clash promises fireworks under the lights, with both teams showcasing a perfect blend of youth and experience. Can KKR finally break their duck and ignite their campaign, or will GT’s balanced squad continue their winning momentum?
Stay tuned for live updates as the action unfolds at the Narendra Modi Stadium!
