The 25th match of IPL 2026 features the Rising Gujarat Titans (GT) taking on the struggling Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This battle is crucial for KKR as they sit at the bottom of the points table, having secured only one point from five matches.
Match Overview: Gujarat Titans vs. Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR’s situation has reached a critical juncture. A victory is essential to avoid entering do-or-die territory so early in the season. The team has struggled to find its rhythm, with key players like Finn Allen and Cameron Green failing to make a significant impact. Additionally, retained Indian players Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh have underperformed, adding to KKR’s woes.
In their last match, KKR attempted a strategic change by promoting Sunil Narine to the opening position. However, this decision led to their best powerplay batter, Ajinkya Rahane, batting lower in the order. While KKR’s bowling lineup has shown some improvement, with Narine rediscovering his form and Kartik Tyagi and Vaibhav Arora becoming more reliable, the need for Varun Chakravarthy to step up remains critical.
Gujarat Titans: A Team on the Rise
In contrast, GT appears to be finding its stride. They have won their last two matches and are looking for a third consecutive victory. With players like Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan returning to form and Jos Buttler shaking off his World Cup slump, GT is poised for success.
Prasidh Krishna has excelled with his unorthodox slow-and-short deliveries, which have effectively limited opposing batters. Rashid Khan has also returned to his best despite a challenging 2025, contributing to GT’s solid bowling attack.
Team News
- Gujarat Titans: Expected to field the same XI that defeated Lucknow Super Giants by seven wickets.
- Kolkata Knight Riders: May make changes as they seek to break their losing streak.
Probable Playing XI
| Gujarat Titans | Kolkata Knight Riders |
|---|---|
| 1. Shubman Gill (c) | 1. Finn Allen/Tim Seifert |
| 2. B Sai Sudharsan | 2. Sunil Narine |
| 3. Jos Buttler (wk) | 3. Ajinkya Rahane (c) |
| 4. Washington Sundar | 4. Angkrish Raghuvanshi |
| 5. Glenn Phillips | 5. Cameron Green |
| 6. Rahul Tewatia | 6. Rinku Singh |
| 7. M Shahrukh Khan | 7. Ramandeep Singh |
| 8. Rashid Khan | 8. Rovman Powell |
| 9. Kagiso Rabada | 9. Anukul Roy |
| 10. Ashok Sharma | 10. Vaibhav Arora |
| 11. Prasidh Krishna | 11. Kartik Tyagi |
| 12. Mohammed Siraj | 12. Varun Chakravarthy |
Key Players to Watch
- Prasidh Krishna: Joint-highest wicket-taker this season with effective bowling strategies.
- Rinku Singh: KKR vice-captain, needs to produce big performances to turn the tide.
This match promises to be a defining moment for KKR and an opportunity for the Titans to cement their place in the top ranks. As they prepare to clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, fans can anticipate a thrilling encounter between two teams at different stages of form and morale.
