Gill's Batting Clinic Puts Gujarat Titans in the Driver’s Seat
If there was ever a time for Shubman Gill to remind his former team what they let slip away, it was in Match 39 of IPL 2025. Now wearing the captain’s armband for Gujarat Titans, Gill unleashed a spellbinding display, smashing 90 off just 55 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Facing his old mates for the first time as skipper, Gill oozed confidence, peppering the boundary while barely breaking a sweat.
Gill’s innings was a case study in measured destruction. He built the tempo methodically, taking calculated risks—like that huge 17-run over off Moeen Ali. With his crisp drives and well-timed pulls, he looked like a man who knew every inch of the Eden pitch, and every weakness in the KKR lineup. Next to him, young Sai Sudharsan (52 off 36) matched him stroke for stroke. Their 114-run opening partnership not only frustrated KKR but effectively took the contest away from them in the first half itself.
Sudharsan wasn’t just a supporting act—his knock was jam-packed with delightful wrists and clever innovation. It marked his fifth fifty of the season and put the Orange Cap (awarded to the top run-scorer) back on his head, sparking a mini celebration among GT fans. When Andre Russell finally broke through to dismiss Sudharsan, the score was already racing, and the Titans’ middle order needed only to sprint, not marathon, to the finish line. With handy contributions from the likes of David Miller and Rahul Tewatia, GT closed out their innings at a mammoth 207/5.
KKR’s Response Comes Up Short, Playoff Hope Fades
Chasing 200-plus under pressure is never easy, and the current KKR squad felt every bit of that weight. Their response was tepid up front, losing wickets just as a partnership seemed to be brewing. Even though there was a late flourish with some big hits, especially from the lower middle order, it always felt like a lost cause. KKR eventually limped to 168/7 when the music stopped.
The defeat leaves KKR all but out of the playoff race. They now have to rely not just on their performance in the remaining games, but on several other results miraculously swinging in their favor. Meanwhile, Gujarat has cemented its place at the top of the table, looking every bit like the team to beat this season.
The night clearly belonged to Shubman Gill. He didn’t just pile on the runs; he took the match situation, the emotional weight of playing his former team, and the pressure of captaincy—and turned it all into pure gold. As Gill held up the Player of the Match trophy, it was as if he was reminding everyone: he’s no longer the young prince of Kolkata; he’s now the king of Gujarat Titans.
