IPL 2025: Gutsy Titans derail Knight Riders at home

Gujarat Titans dominated with both bat and ball to defeat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs in front of their home fans in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Monday.

- AJEYO BASU

Defending a competitive total of 198/3, the Gujarat bowlers made good use of the spin-friendly conditions offered by a slow pitch at the iconic Eden Gardens to restrict KKR to 159/8.

Star spinner Rashid Khan returned figures of 2/25 while Gujarat pacer Prasidh Krishna used his deceptive slower deliveries to good effect for his 2/25.

Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma bagged a wicket each.

The KKR chase ran into rough weather right at the start as Gujarat pacer Mohammed Siraj trapped Rahmanullah Gurbaz leg before in the opening over.

Ajinkya Rahane was the only KKR batter who managed to take the fight to the rival camp with a 36-ball 50, but he waged a lonely battle as the rest of his teammates proved to be unequal to the challenge. His brave knock came to an end when he stepped out to charge a Washington Sundar delivery. The spinner anticipated the charge and fired in a delivery just outside the off-stump, leaving the KKR captain stranded.