Shubman Gill’s clinical 86 secures Gujarat’s third consecutive victory.
Gujarat Titans climbed to fourth in the IPL 2026 standings after securing a convincing five-wicket victory over a struggling Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday night.Captain Shubman Gill led from the front at the Narendra Modi Stadium, orchestrating a chase of 181 runs with a sublime 86 off 50 deliveries.This performance marked his third consecutive half-century, further cementing his reputation as the king of the Ahmedabad turf, where he now averages nearly 60 in T20 cricket.
Kolkata's decision to bat first backfired instantly as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Ajinkya Rahane for a golden duck.Kagiso Rabada soon followed suit, dismantling the top order to leave the visitors reeling at 37 for 3 during the Powerplay.Rabada’s figures of 3 for 29 represent his best return since joining the Gujarat franchise.While Cameron Green fought back with a valiant 79 off 55 balls—his first significant score since his high-profile trade—Kolkata could only manage 180 as Ashok Sharma’s late breakthroughs triggered another lower-order collapse.
Gill’s Batting Masterclass
Chasing 181, the Titans never looked in trouble despite Varun Chakaravarthy’s attempts to tighten the screws with two wickets.Gill played with surgical precision, finding gaps with ease and lofting four massive sixes.He reached his fifty in just 27 balls, effectively killing the contest before falling three overs from the end.Historical data suggests that teams winning at this venue often rely on aggressive Powerplay starts, and GT’s 71 runs in the first six overs proved to be the decisive factor.
Titans Momentum Continues
Rahul Tewatia and Glenn Phillips ensured no late drama occurred, crossing the finish line with two balls to spare.This result leaves the three-time champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, languishing at the bottom of the table with five losses in six games.
With Agency threads and Image Courtesy: ANI
