KKR vs GT IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans Outshine Kolkata Knight Riders in a 39-Run Thriller
On April 21, 2025, Eden Gardens in Kolkata witnessed an electrifying IPL 2025 clash—match number 39—where Gujarat Titans (GT) handed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) a convincing 39-run defeat. The game was packed with breathtaking moments, from Shubman Gill’s dazzling knock to Sai Sudharsan’s steady brilliance and Rashid Khan’s magical spin. Let’s dive into the highlights, scoreboard, and all the unforgettable moments that made this match a treat for cricket fans.
KKR vs GT: Toss and the Opening Act
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to bowl first, banking on Eden Gardens’ flat track to restrict GT to a chaseable total. But GT’s openers had other plans, tearing apart KKR’s strategy. The weather was hot and humid, adding an extra layer of challenge for the bowlers, who were already up against a formidable batting lineup.
Gujarat Titans’ Batting: Gill and Sudharsan Steal the Show
GT’s innings kicked off with Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan setting the stage on fire. The duo stitched together a stunning 114-run opening stand, leaving KKR’s bowlers scrambling. Gill was in sublime form, smashing 90 runs off 55 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes. He fell agonizingly short of his maiden IPL century by just 10 runs, but his knock was nothing short of spectacular. Sudharsan, meanwhile, played a composed 52 off 36 balls (6 fours, 1 six), crossing the 400-run mark in IPL 2025 and reclaiming the Orange Cap.
https://powerplayreport.in/category/latest-blogs
Jos Buttler, batting at number 3, chipped in with an unbeaten 41 off 23 balls (8 fours), powering GT to a formidable 198/3 in 20 overs. KKR’s Vaibhav Arora bowled tightly, but none of the bowlers could break the opening partnership early enough to stem the flow of runs.
Thrilling Moments: Gill’s Aggressive Flair
- Powerplay Explosion: Gill and Sudharsan racked up 45 runs in the powerplay without taking any risks. Gill’s elegant cover drive, mirrored by Sudharsan, had the crowd buzzing.
- Gill’s Massive Six: In the 12th over, Gill launched a Varun Chakravarthy delivery over midwicket for a towering six, sending the Eden Gardens faithful into a frenzy.
- Sudharsan’s Consistency: Sudharsan’s gorgeous cover drive off Moeen Ali showcased his red-hot form. This was his fourth fifty-plus score of the season, cementing his reputation as a reliable run-machine.
KKR’s Batting: Early Woes and a Middle-Order Collapse
Chasing 199, KKR’s innings got off to a disastrous start. Mohammed Siraj struck in the very first over, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz to jolt the home side. Ajinkya Rahane fought hard, scoring a gritty 50 off 36 balls, but his slow scoring rate and a 36-ball boundary drought in the middle overs saw KKR’s required run rate skyrocket. Venkatesh Iyer (14 off 19) struggled, and other batters buckled under pressure.
The game’s defining moment came when Rashid Khan weaved his magic, trapping Andre Russell with a deceptive googly. Russell’s dismissal was a massive blow, as his firepower was KKR’s best hope of chasing down the big total. Prasidh Krishna also chipped in with a tidy 2/25, ensuring KKR could only limp to 159/8 in their 20 overs.
Thrilling Moments: Rashid’s Wizardry and Rahane’s Resilience
- Rashid’s Masterstroke: In the 8th over, Rashid foxed Russell with a googly, a wicket that swung the game firmly in GT’s favor. Russell’s departure silenced the KKR dugout and the crowd.
- Rahane’s Fighting Spirit: Rahane tried to steady the ship after early blows, and his lofted cover drive was a thing of beauty. But he couldn’t convert it into a match-winning knock.
- 36-Ball Boundary Drought: GT’s spinners choked KKR in the middle overs, with no boundaries for 36 balls—a record for KKR’s longest boundary-less stretch in IPL 2025.
Scoreboard
Gujarat Titans Batting
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Shubman Gill (c) | 90 | 55 | 10 | 3 | 163.63 |
| Sai Sudharsan | 52 | 36 | 6 | 1 | 144.44 |
| Jos Buttler | 41* | 23 | 8 | 0 | 178.26 |
| Total | 198/3 | 20 Overs | 24 | 4 | 9.90 RPO |
Kolkata Knight Riders Batting
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Ajinkya Rahane (c) | 50 | 36 | 5 | 1 | 138.88 |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 14 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 73.68 |
| Andre Russell | 21 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 140.00 |
| Rinku Singh | 17 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 121.43 |
| Total | 159/8 | 20 Overs | 12 | 2 | 7.95 RPO |
Bowling (GT)
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 32 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Prasidh Krishna | 4 | 25 | 2 | 6.20 |
| Rashid Khan | 4 | 25 | 2 | 6.20 |
| Sai Kishore | 3 | 19 | 1 | 6.30 |
Player of the Match
Shubman Gill was named Player of the Match for his scintillating 90, which set the foundation for GT’s commanding total and kept KKR’s bowlers under relentless pressure.
Turning Point
Rashid Khan’s dismissal of Andre Russell was the game-changer. Russell’s ability to turn matches with his explosive batting made him KKR’s biggest hope, but Rashid’s googly shattered those dreams, triggering a collapse that KKR couldn’t recover from.
Wrap-Up
With this win, Gujarat Titans strengthened their grip on the IPL 2025 points table, moving to 12 points with 6 wins in 8 matches, sitting pretty at the top. KKR, on the other hand, suffered their third home defeat, making their playoff journey tougher. The trio of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Rashid Khan proved once again why GT is one of the teams to beat this season.
The next IPL 2025 clash is set for April 22, with Lucknow Super Giants taking on Delhi Capitals. Until then, keep the cricket fever alive!