KKR Keep Play-off Hopes Alive with 29-Run Win Over Gujarat Titans

 

Images: Debasis Sen

Subhayan Chakraborty, Eden Gardens

Half-centuries from Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler went in vain as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) kept their mathematical hopes alive in the IPL play-off race by defeating the Gujarat Titans (GT) by 29 runs at Eden Gardens on Saturday. Batting first, KKR posted a mammoth 247/2 in 20 overs, thanks to a thunderous 93 from Finn Allen and half-centuries from Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green. While GT suffered a major setback with Sai Sudharsan walking off injured early on, Gill and Buttler’s fireworks ultimately were not enough, as the Titans’ five-match winning run came to an end.

Finn Allen at His Destructive Best

Allen was at his absolute best, going hammer and tongs from the outset and sparing none of the GT bowlers at Eden Gardens. He went ballistic, smashing 10 sixes and four boundaries during his 93-run stay at the crease. After targeting Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj in the powerplay, the KKR opener hammered Rashid Khan and Arshad Khan for multiple sixes in their respective overs. Although he was dropped on 14 and 33, the Kiwi made the most of his reprieves. Allen has been one of the biggest positives for the Knights this season; this was the second time in IPL 2026 that he smashed 10 maximums in an innings, the other instance coming against the Delhi Capitals.

Raghuvanshi and Green Crack 108-Run Stand

Raghuvanshi and Green capitalised fully on the Gujarat Titans’ poor fielding display, stitching together a 108-run partnership off just 53 balls to power KKR to their highest total of the season. Although Raghuvanshi started his knock slowly, he picked up the pace to finish unbeaten on 82 off 44 balls. Meanwhile, Green produced a blistering 52 not out off 28 balls. Together, their partnership provided plenty of entertainment for the Eden Gardens crowd.

Dropped Catches Cost Gujarat Titans

GT were atrocious in the field, dropping as many as four catches against KKR – all of which cost them dearly. Allen was dropped on 14 and 33 before going on to score 93. Green was put down on 23 and ultimately posted 52, while Raghuvanshi was given a lifeline on 52 and ended up scoring 82. Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Arshad Khan, and Jason Holder each dropped one catch.

Gill and Buttler’s Fireworks Go in Vain

The Titans suffered a massive blow to their chase in the third over when Sudharsan was forced to walk off after taking a blow to his elbow. Nishant Sindhu could not capitalise on his sudden opportunity, dismissed for just one run by Sunil Narine. However, Gill and Buttler steadied the ship with a dazzling display of strokeplay, stitching together a 128-run stand off 73 balls. Even as KKR faced their own injury setback – with debutant Matheesha Pathirana limping off during his second over – Gill and Buttler continued their heavy hitting. Just as Gill was nearing his century, Narine outfoxed him, dismissing him for 85. Although Sudharsan returned to the crease to bat again, Buttler was soon dismissed for 57. Ultimately, it was too little, too late, as KKR sealed a comfortable 29-run victory.

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