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The match was evenly poised when Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane were in the middle for KKR in chase of 199.
Shubman Gill was quite animated after the dismissal of Venkatesh Iyer. (Screengrab/JioCinema)
Midway through IPL 2025, Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans have emerged as the standout team having taken the top spot on the points table with six wins from eight matches so far. The former champions have 12 points and a solid net run-rate of 1.104.
On Monday, GT got the better of Kolkata Knight Riders, recording an impressive 39-run win at the Eden Gardens. After posting a challenging 198/3, the visitors limited their hosts to 159/8 in 20 overs.
The contest was evenly poised when KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane was batting alongside allrounder Venkatesh Iyer. The duo had stitched a 41-run partnership for the third wicket when left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore got rid of Iyer on 14.
Luring the left-handed batter into playing an aerial shot, Sai Kishore dropped one outside off to which the KKR batter responded with a slog-sweep and found the fielder in the deep.
As a disappointed Iyer began his long walk back to the team dug-out, Gill showed his aggressive side with an animated celebration as he pumped fist and thumped Sai Kishore’s chest.
The 25-year-old later revealed the reason behind his celebration.
“We were ahead in the game, but it’s one thing to be ahead and another to close the game. Good teams when they are chasing or defending, close the game very well. So that was just some of my emotions coming out,” Gill said during the post-match presentation.
It was a good day in the office for Gill as he starred with the bat for GT. He made 90 off 55 with the help of 10 fours and three sixes, stitching a century stand for the first wicket with Sai Sudharsan. The pair added 114 runs before being separated.
Sudharsan made 52 off 36.
Jos Buttler (41* off 23) and Shahrukh Khan (11* off 5) provided the late surge as GT finished with a big total which proved beyond KKR’s reach.
GT now have a six-day break before they take the field again next Monday.
