On Monday, April 21, the defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) squared off in IPL 2025 match number 39 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Gujarat-based side secured a clinical 39-run victory in the encounter.
GT got off to a great start after being selected to bat first, with openers Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill hitting half-centuries. Gill scored 90 runs off 55 deliveries, while Sudharsan left after scoring 52 runs in 36 balls.
Jos Buttler, the keeper-batter, had a significant innings as well, going undefeated at 41 off 23 balls while the opposing team scored 198/3 in 20 overs. Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Vaibhav Arora each took one wicket for KKR.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed as the first player by the opposing side in the opening over of the run chase. Ajinkya Rahane took charge while batting and managed to reach fifty by hitting 50 runs off 36 balls.
Kolkata attained 159/8 runs during their twenty-over play without any additional substantial batting contributions. The two leading bowlers for Gujarat in this contest were Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan who both picked up two wickets.
In the IPL 2025, GT became the first team to score 12 points. They are presently leading the standings with six victories from eight games. However, after just winning three of their first eight games, KKR is currently in sixth place.
Gill’s outstanding batting effort earned him the title of Player of the Match. The following three moments from the game caused a stir among the supporters:
1. Rinku Singh takes stunning diving catch to deny GT captain Shubman Gill a ton
Shubman Gill lost his wicket at 90, missing out on a well-earned century. In the 18th over of the innings, bowler Vaibhav Arora removed him from the game.
The Gujarat captain failed to acquire enough elevation when he flicked the ball toward the leg side. To finish the knock, Rinku Singh performed a fantastic job at deep mid-wicket. He lunged forward and made a fantastic catch. A video of the dismissal can be found here:
Brilliant cricket all around 👏
It required a special catch to end Shubman Gill's fabulous innings of 90(55) 🫡
Updates ▶ https://t.co/TwaiwD5D6n#TATAIPL | #KKRvGT | @KKRiders | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/4rSuIOPCNX
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 21, 20252. Washington Sundar outsmarts Ajinkya Rahane with a wide delivery
Ajinkya Rahane’s batting prowess throughout the run chase offered Kolkata some optimism. But by dismissing the Kolkata captain in the thirteenth over, spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar gave Gujarat the upper hand.
Sundar threw a wide delivery outside the off-stump, expecting Rahane to come out of the crease. The line undid Rahane, and Jos Buttler stumped him.
A video of the stumping can be seen here:
How to outfox a batter 101, ft. Washington Sundar 🕸👌
Jos Buttler with some impressive glovework 🧤#KKR 114/4 after 15 overs.
Updates ▶ https://t.co/TwaiwD5D6n#TATAIPL | #KKRvGT | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/AGCZWl51kb
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 21, 20253. Prasidh Krishna takes quick reflex catch off his own bowling
Ramandeep Singh was caught and bowled when Prasidh Krishna made a superb catch off his own bowling. The dismissal occurred during the run chase’s seventeenth over.
Ramandeep struck the bowler with a length delivery. The ball was moving fast, so he appeared to make a strong connection, but Prasidh made a fantastic reflex catch.
The following footage is available to view:
Quick reflexes ⚡ Calm demeanor 😏
🎥 Prasidh Krishna continues his wicket-taking streak 👏
Updates ▶ https://t.co/TwaiwD5D6n#TATAIPL | #KKRvGT | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/0Cwv0POKya
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 21, 2025
