Shubman Gill’s commanding 86 off 50 balls guided Gujarat Titans (GT) to a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their IPL 2026 clash in Ahmedabad on Friday, successfully chasing a target of 181 in 19.4 overs.
Gill struck eight fours and four sixes, continuing his strong record at the venue, and ensured GT secured their third consecutive win of the season. The victory lifts Gujarat Titans to six points from five matches, moving them up to fourth in the points table. KKR, meanwhile, remain winless with just one point and sit at the bottom.
GT chase anchored by Gill
Chasing 181, GT openers Gill and Sai Sudharsan got off to a steady start, collecting 9 runs in the opening over and 11 in the second. The pair accelerated quickly, taking 20 runs off Anukul Roy in the third over.
GT brought up their 50 in just 4.2 overs before Sunil Narine broke the opening stand, dismissing Sudharsan for 22. Jos Buttler walked in and immediately attacked Narine, hitting two fours and a six.
GT ended the powerplay strongly at 71/1. Gill continued to dominate, adding boundaries regularly and reaching his half-century in just 27 balls. Buttler contributed 25 before being dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy, who later also removed Washington Sundar.
Chakaravarthy reached a milestone of 100 IPL wickets for KKR, becoming only the third player to do so for the franchise after Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.
Gill maintained control of the chase until the 17th over, when he was dismissed for 86. Glenn Phillips added 19, while Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan finished the job in the final over.
Green’s knock lifts KKR to 180
Earlier, Cameron Green’s 79 off 55 balls helped KKR post 180 after a shaky start.
KKR lost skipper Ajinkya Rahane for a golden duck in the first over to Mohammed Siraj. Angkrish Raghuvanshi showed intent with two boundaries but was dismissed for 8 by Kagiso Rabada. Tim Seifert, playing his first match of the season, scored 19 before also falling to Rabada.
KKR were restricted to 37/3 in the powerplay. Rovman Powell counterattacked with 27, hitting big shots off Prasidh Krishna and Ashok Sharma to rebuild the innings alongside Green.
© instagram.com/kkridersThe pair steadied KKR to 80 at the halfway mark before Powell was dismissed. Green then accelerated, taking on Rashid Khan and Ashok Sharma, hitting multiple sixes to bring up his maiden half-century of the season.
KKR lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter. Rinku Singh fell for 1, Anukul Roy managed 9, and Ramandeep Singh added 17 before departing. Sunil Narine was dismissed for a duck, while Kartik Tyagi chipped in with a late six.
Despite Green’s efforts, Gujarat Titans pulled things back in the death overs, conceding just 15 runs in the final three overs to bowl KKR out for 180.
Bowlers keep GT in control
Kagiso Rabada was the standout performer with the ball, picking up three wickets. Ashok Sharma and Mohammed Siraj claimed two wickets each, while Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan took one apiece.
The disciplined finish with the ball ensured that KKR were kept within reach, setting up the platform for Gill to complete the chase.
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