Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders, 25th Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - CommentaryGT vs KKR, 25th Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - Commentary

GT are on a three-match winning streak and they are steadily moving up the points table. KKR on the other hand remain winless with just one point. From here, they need everything to go their way if they are to have any hope of reaching the playoffs. Time for us to leave. Tomorrow will be a long day - it's a Saturday, which means double-header time. We will be there nice and early. For now it's bye bye and tata from all of us here.

Shubman Gill | GT captain and Player of the Match: (does it feel like you are batting like 2023 again?) "Honestly, I don't think it matters. The only thing that matters is the win and obviously, playing the final and winning the cup would be something that I'm looking forward for. (after you got out, did you think it's taking longer than you wanted?) Yeah, ideally we would have liked to finish at least an over, couple of overs before and I was quite disappointed with the way I got out. I wanted to be there till the end and finish it. Hopefully, the next chance I get, I would be able to do that. (on bowling Siraj and Rabada 3 on the trot early) Honestly, the way both of them were bowling was, it looked like they could get a wicket on every ball and giving both of them one extra over in the end, I could see the ball was nipping a little bit, so it was a decision, I asked both of them if they are ready to bowl one more because, it's a little bit hot, so it's not easy to bowl three overs on the trot. (on the talk when Green was going strong) Yeah, I think they took the game away from us a little bit in the middle overs, but I think it was important, you know, to still look for wickets and have a long batting line-up I think. Sunil came at number 9 or something. So, and we knew that they're going to try to swing at us every ball. So I think having that mindset of keep taking wickets and looking for the attacking option was the talk in the middle. (on his batting) Yeah, definitely. I think fitness was something, I got a couple of months before this. And fitness was one thing that I worked on. And apart from that, just working on the mental aspect of the game and trying to get better, not just technically, but tactically as well. (how do you get better technically and mentally?) It's all about, try to stay in the present, not try to think too far ahead or look into your past mistakes. Obviously, you want to learn from them, but you don't want to dwell on them. And that is something that, it's a conscious decision every time, you go to bat or you go in the field, your mind takes you to all sorts of places, but it's important to stay present. (is the new look here to stay?) Let's see, let's see. So far, wanted to do something a little bit different. So, so far so good. Kept it for three games, three wins. So let's see."

Kagiso Rabada: "Yeah, that's 100% the way the game plays out. Today, I didn't feel like I bowled particularly well, but the outcome was what you would take on any day. So that's just the nature of the beast. (on leaving the ego as a fast bowler) Yeah, 100%, especially, you know, playing in India as a fast bowler can be a little bit challenging at times. Yeah, the way the game has just moved forward, you have to try and find ways to keep up with the game, but at the same time, kind of accept where you felt like you actually did well and take the outcome out of it. (did you do anything differently tonight?) No, not really. I think the pitch was just a bit different. I don't know. I guess players can take the credit. You know, you still have to put the ball in a decent area. I'm just glad that things went my way. (challenges as a fast bowler) Well, there's far less margin for error. And with the impact player, you know, the batting lineups get lengthened too. So... the margin for error is a lot smaller. So I think it's important not to be too hard on yourself. The more you keep doing good things, results will go your way. (on leading this attack) Yeah, I mean, opening the bowling with Siraj, I've played against him for so many years, but it's awesome to see how well he's doing and Prasidh, you know, purple cap holder, and I think last year he was too, if I'm not mistaken, or right up there. So I think as a bowling attack, we're doing really well. And Ashok stepping up and bowling some crucial overs and trusting his skill and his ability in crucial times. I guess that's why he's been successful and I guess that's why we've been successful thus far as a bowling attack. So I guess hopefully we can do the same and keep getting the same results. (how important was that win against DC in turning the season around?) Yeah, exactly. I mean, having lost two games in a row, I think it was, and a game that we felt that we should have won against Rajasthan. I guess, you know, sometimes you need a bit of luck and you know what they say about a cricket game. You've seen some funny things happen during cricket games, and that's another funny thing that happened against Delhi and luckily it went our way. So you take it and run."

Ajinkya Rahane | KKR captain: "Yeah, as you said, it's never easy after immediately after losing the game and come and talk about the game. I thought I just want to talk positives, especially the way we started two-three wickets down. Cameron Green's innings, he was under pressure, but the kind of counter-attack he did, positive impact, what he made was amazing to see, going after their bowlers. As you, mentioned some time back, 147 for four, and from there, around 180 was slightly difficult from a batting unit, but credit to all our bowlers, the way they bowled, taking the game till the last over. Everyone contributed well. (on Gill) Yeah, I thought he batted really well. I initially felt slightly back of length, ball was slightly holding, anything up front, half-vollies was coming nicely, slightly dew as well. But again, no excuse, as I said, 180, we needed wickets in the powerplay, they batted beautifully. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill batted beautifully. Powerplay was important, but I just want to talk the positive about our bowlers. It's never easy when things are not going your way, coming each and every time. We had three close games, but they've been bowling beautifully, and Cameron Green's form was amazing to see. (on Green not bowling tonight) He was actually struggling with his cramps. That's the reason he was in and out on the field as well. So that's the reason he didn't bowl. (where does KKR go from here?) I think it's all about being in the moment, you know. When things are not going your way, you tend to think too many things. I feel it's all about being in the moments. Just try and go out there, enjoy the game. Back ourself as a unit rather than thinking about the things which are not in our control. I think as a team, we just have to go out there, play our game. And that's what we wanted to do today. Just be aggressive, be positive from ball number one."

Stats by Shashikant Singh

Longest losing streak for KKR in IPL
9 in 2009
7* in 2025-26
6 in 2019
5 in 2022

GT won 4 out of the five completed games against KKR.

No wins in the first 6 games of an IPL season
Deccan in 2012
DD in 2013
RCB in 2019
MI in 2022
KKR in 2026*

23:20 Local Time, 17:50 GMT, 23:20 IST: GT took it to the last over but they win. It got unnecessarily nervy for them at the end but they get the job done. When Gill was going like a serene river, GT would have been looking to win with comfort. It didn't happen. What a knock Gill played though. He has a tremendous record at the Narendra Modi Stadium and tonight he made his intentions pretty clear right from the start. High-elbowed drives, lofted hits, the trademark short-arm jabs and those delectable flicks, all was on display. He lost Sai and Buttler who chipped in with 20s. Gill was set for a 100 but a good catch ended his knock. Once he got out, KKR bowled well and took it to the last over. Phillips' wicket gave KKR the slightest of hope but Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia finished it off. KKR remain winless as a result this season. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...

2 off 3. Rahane has a word with Ramandeep Singh. He has to bring the field in. Rahane that is.

3 off 4. Rahane has a chat with Ramandeep Singh. Will this bowling into the pitch continue from Ramandeep?

Ramandeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Ramandeep it is. First time he is bowling this season. Manish Pandey the sub advising Ramandeep. Ramandeep has 4 to defend. He jogs and practices his run.