IPL 2025: Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan Power Gujarat Titans to Dominant Win Over Kolkata Knight Riders
In a thrilling encounter at the iconic Eden Gardens, Gujarat Titans (GT) showcased their dominance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 with a commanding 39-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Monday. Led by an explosive opening partnership between captain Shubman Gill and the ever-reliable Sai Sudharsan, GT outplayed a struggling KKR side on a challenging, sluggish pitch.
The tone for the match was set early when GT, after being asked to bat first by KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, stitched together a monumental 114-run opening stand. Gill, in sublime form, smashed 90 off just 55 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century—his first of the season. Sudharsan, playing the perfect foil, contributed a composed 52 off 36 deliveries, ensuring the Titans maintained momentum on a pitch both captains described as “really slow”.
The Gujarat Titans finished their innings at a competitive 198/3, a total bolstered by a late blitz from England star Jos Buttler. Surprisingly, Buttler refrained from clearing the ropes, focusing instead on precision with 8 boundaries in his unbeaten 41 off 23 balls. GT’s batting masterclass was a blend of patience and calculated aggression, exploiting gaps and rotating the strike effectively despite hitting only five sixes throughout their innings.
In response, KKR’s chase never gained traction. They were rocked early when opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell to GT’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj in the very first over. From there, the hosts crumbled under pressure, eventually folding for a disappointing 159/8. Skipper Rahane fought a lone battle with a gritty 50 off 36 balls, but lacked support from the rest of the batting unit. GT’s spin trio of Rashid Khan (2/25), Sai Kishore (1/19), and Washington Sundar (1/36) turned the screws in the middle overs, dismantling KKR’s hopes of a comeback.
Adding to KKR’s woes, GT’s pace attack, led by Purple Cap holder Prasidh Krishna (2/25) and the evergreen Ishant Sharma (1/18), ensured there was no late resurgence from the Kolkata side. This clinical bowling performance sealed yet another convincing victory for the Titans, who solidified their position at the top of the points table with 12 points from 8 matches. Meanwhile, KKR’s fifth loss in eight games sees them languishing in seventh place, with their playoff hopes fading fast.
Reflecting on the defeat, Rahane admitted that while the target of 199 was within reach, KKR’s batting failures cost them dearly. “I believed 199 was chaseable on this pitch. We fought back well with the ball, but our batting let us down again. We’ve struggled with inconsistent starts, and that’s something we must address urgently,” he said. Rahane also emphasized the need for bravery in approach, adding, “Even on a slow surface like this, 200 was achievable. We need to back ourselves, take risks, and dominate the middle overs.”
As the IPL 2025 season progresses, Gujarat Titans continue to set the benchmark with their all-round prowess. Shubman Gill’s near-century and the team’s disciplined bowling effort have sent a strong message to their rivals. For Kolkata Knight Riders, however, it’s back to the drawing board as they look to salvage their campaign before it’s too late. With Eden Gardens witnessing another GT masterclass, fans are left wondering if anyone can stop this juggernaut in their quest for the coveted IPL title.