IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans vs. Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 39: Who Said What?

The Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 39 runs in match 39 of the current Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) at Eden Gardens on Monday, April 21.

Notably, Gujarat Titans won for the sixth time this season.

With an outstanding 90-run knock off 55 deliveries, captain Shubman Gill was the highest scorer. He and Sai Sudharsan, who scored 52 off 36 himself, put on an incredible opening partnership of 114 runs. After 20 overs, Jos Buttler’s final burst (41 off 23) propelled GT to 198 for 3. The most economical bowler turned out to be Varun Chakravarthy (0 for 33 in four overs).

During the powerplay, both of KKR’s openers were back in the shed. Although captain Ajinkya Rahane reached a half-century, no other batters stood out. At number nine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, an Impact Player for KKR, finished as the second-highest scorer. Both Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna were outstanding, taking a few wickets during their four-over stints.

Talking Points

1. The purple patch on Sai Sudharsan persists

Once more, the gifted left-handed batter appeared to be in spectacular form. This season, this was his fifth fifty in eight innings. Six fours and one six were part of his well-paced knock.

2. Rahul Tewatia’s difficult batting streak continues

Rahul Tewatia just stayed at the crease for a few balls even though he was moved up the order (to No. 4). For a duck, he got fired. Tewatia’s fourth single-digit score in the 2025 IPL came in this innings.

3. Andre Russell’s bat does not make contact

Andre Russell only managed 21 off 15 deliveries, coming in at a time when KKR was in dire need of some fireworks. The seasoned batting all-rounder was expected to do much more than that.

4. Prasidh Krishna steps up to take charge

Playing against his old team this time, Prasidh bowled a brilliantly frugal stint to shut down the opposition batting order. Twelve dot balls made up his neat quota.

Who Said What?

Shubman Gill (winning captain and Player of the Match)

Very pleased. We spoke about these two matches – that they’re going to decide where we stand on the table. Very pleased to get these two wins back to back. We just want to play our best game whenever we’re out there. We never talk about that one of us has to stay till the end. We just talk about how we can score runs in these conditions and how to take the game deep. We were ahead in the game, but it’s one thing to be ahead and another to close the game.

So, that was just some of my emotions coming out (talking about his animated celebration after Venky Iyer’s wicket). In this format, it’s difficult to have a perfect game. There will always be some areas. LIke today as well – we could’ve got 10 runs more had I stayed there. And a couple of unforced errors in the bowling. But the main thing is even if you’re not playing the perfect game, you’ve to find a way to win, and that’s what we’re really good at.

Ajinkya Rahane (losing captain)

I thought 199 was chaseable, we came back into the game really well with the ball. When you are chasing 199, you expect a good opening start with the batters, that’s where we are struggling throughout this tournament. I thought 199 was chaseable on this wicket, we bowled really well, we faltered with our batting. We need to learn as quickly as possible and keep going. It was little slow, but we thought if we get them below 200, it’ll be really good. We know these conditions really well, we need to bat properly, we need to bat well in the middle overs, that’s where we are struggling.

When you’re chasing a big target, you expect a good start from the opening batters. That’s what we are looking to get better, as a batting unit, no complains with our bowlers. Bowlers are doing a really good job game after game. Fielding is a part I always believe we can control as a team. If you can save 10-15 runs on the field, that’s always better for the team. It’s always about intent and attitude, you got to be switched on throughout the 20 overs, that’s where we are lacking in.

But the guys are working hard. This format is always about being brave. You can’t think too much about the past. You need to learn from your mistakes. Whenever you’re doing well, look for improvement. If you’re not doing well, even if we get 1% better as a team, that’s very important. As a batting unit, you got to be brave, take the chances and take the positive mindset.

If you think about getting out, you’ll get out. If you think about getting runs, it’s always about that. I am sure our batters are thinking about it. It’s just a matter of time, we’ve got quality batters in the middle-order and I back them completely. Angkrish has been batting really well. Today, we pushed the other boys to get the run-rate going up.