On the back of a match-winning opening stand and disciplined bowling, Gujarat Titans cruised to a 39-run win over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 39 of TATA IPL 2025. Skipper Shubman Gill led from the front with a classy 90 off 55, while Sai Sudharsan supported him with a fluent 52 off 36, as their 114-run partnership laid the perfect foundation for GT’s comprehensive victory. 

Having asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans’ trusted opening pair—Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan—crafted a poised and elegant start. Sudharsan played with characteristic grace, while skipper Gill exuded authority from the onset, blending timing with aggression in a fluent display. The duo ran hard between the wickets and punctuated their stand with timely boundaries, guiding GT to a solid 45/0 at the end of the powerplay.

The innings picked up momentum in the seventh over as Gill dismantled Moeen Ali for 17 runs, showcasing his class with effortless strokeplay. Sudharsan wasn’t far behind, unfurling his wristy elegance against the spinners and bringing up his fifth fifty of the season—reclaiming the Orange Cap in the process. His sublime 52 (36) capped a 114-run opening stand before Andre Russell broke the partnership.

It was Sudharsan’s eighth 50+ score in his last 12 IPL innings, underlining his golden run. Jos Buttler walked in and made an instant impact, opening with three consecutive boundaries. Gill, the linchpin of the innings, continued unfazed—piercing gaps with surgical precision. His majestic 90 off 55 was cut short by a stunning diving catch from Rinku Singh. The key to the GT skipper’s innings was how effortless and risk free was his innings. Despite the early onslaught, KKR pulled things back at the death, holding GT to 198/3. Buttler remained unbeaten on a brisk 41* (23). 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chasing 199, KKR were rocked early as Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell in the first over, trapped in front by Mohammed Siraj. Sunil Narine threatened briefly with a four and a six, but a tactical masterstroke from skipper Shubman Gill saw Rashid Khan introduced early. The move paid off as the Afghan spinner dismissed Narine, reducing KKR to an early slump.

Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer then looked to rebuild. Rahane, elegant as ever, found the gaps with finesse while Iyer struggled to find momentum. The pair took KKR to 45/2 before GT’s spinners tightened the screws. The pressure told, as Washington Sundar removed Iyer for 14 (19).

Rahane kept the scoreboard ticking and brought up his third fifty of the season, but just after reaching the milestone, he was stumped off Sai Kishore for 50 (36), thanks to sharp glovework from Jos Buttler. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Andre Russell briefly reignited hope with a four and six off Kishore, but Rashid Khan struck again, stumping him for 21 (15). Prasidh Krishna then delivered a stunning 17th over, pulling off a brilliant caught and bowled to remove Ramandeep Singh and dismissing Moeen Ali two balls later. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Angkrish Raghuvanshi played a valiant cameo with an unbeaten 27* off 13, but it was too little, too late. GT’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Rashid and Krishna taking two each, as they secured a 39-run win and topped the points table. 

The full scorecard of the match can be found here.