GT vs KKR Highlights, IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans secure 5-wicket win, keep Kolkata winless

What's next? Been a long week? We feel you. But worry not, as an entertaining double header weekend awaits you all. Saturday, 18th April, will see two blockbuster clashes in the making. The day starts in Bengaluru, where the table toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru host the Delhi Capitals at the M. Chinnaswamy. Following that game, it will be the southern derby in Hyderabad as Sunrisers Hyderabad take on the Chennai Super Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. It all starts at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT), but our buildup begins well in advance. Until then, we sign off from here. Cheers!

GT dominate KKR at home - That's a hat-trick of wins for the Gujarat Titans after starting their season with two defeats in a row. They have got their campaign up and running and back on track. They will stay home for their next assignment as they host the Mumbai Indians on Monday, 20th April at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). And as for the Kolkata Knight Riders, things are just looking so ominous for them, though they will walk out with a few positives. Cameron Green is back among runs, and Varun Chakaravarthy also found a bit of rhythm with the ball. But ultimately, they stay winless as the season fast-approaches the midpoint. The Knight Riders have a quick turnaround as they will be bound for home. They prepare to host the high-flying Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on Sunday, 19th April at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT), hoping to get their first win.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - The captain of the Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill, receives the award for his outstanding knock of 86 (50). He also collects and wears the Orange Cap. Gill says that for him, playing the final and winning the cup is all that matters and not personal accolades. He admits they would have ideally liked to finish the game a couple of overs earlier and is quite disappointed with himself for not seeing it through. He adds that he will look to correct that the next time the opportunity arises. Shubman praises the way Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada bowled, saying it felt like they could pick up a wicket every ball. He reveals that he asked them if they could bowl 3 overs in a row, but acknowledges that in such hot conditions, it was not easy. The GT captain feels KKR took the game away from them in the middle phase and emphasises the importance of looking for wickets, especially against a side with a long batting line-up. Gill says they knew KKR would look to attack, so the focus was on finding attacking options with the ball. Gill also mentions that fitness is something he worked on in the months leading up to the tournament and adds that it is all about staying in the present. When asked if the beard is here to stay, Gill smiles and says he just wanted to try something different, adding that they have won 3 in a row since, so let's see.

... Time for the post-match Presentation ...

Let's hear it from Kagiso Rabada - He begins by admitting that he felt he didn't bowl at his best in this game. Adds that bowling in India as a fast bowler can be challenging, and with the way the game has evolved, you have to keep up. He admits that the pitch played a part and gives credit to the batters, but stresses that the job remains to hit decent areas with the ball. He reflects on the tightening margins in the modern game, pointing to the Impact Player rule as something that stretches batting line-ups even further, leaving bowlers with far less room for error. His message to himself and his peers is to not be too hard on themselves when things do not go to plan. Rabada then turns to his new ball partner Siraj, saying it is awesome to see him bowling the way he is. He also shouts out Prasidh, the Purple Cap holder, for his consistency, and reserves special praise for Ashok, who he says has stepped up and bowled crucial overs. He hopes the group can continue in the same vein and keep delivering positive results.

The captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders - Ajinkya Rahane says it is never easy to talk immediately after a defeat, but he wants to focus on the positives. He highlights the impact made by Cameron Green after the kind of start they endured with the bat. Rahane adds that being 147/4 and then finishing on 180 made things slightly difficult, suggesting they fell short of what they were aiming for. He credits the bowling unit for taking the game deep and pushing it into the final over. Jinx praises Shubman Gill’s batting and notes that the back-of-a-length deliveries were holding on the surface. He shares that there was a bit of dew around, but is quick to add that he does not want to use that as an excuse. Rahane feels they needed wickets in the Powerplay to put more pressure on the opposition, but Sudharsan and Gill batted well.

A middling score on the board - It was a tale of two halves for KKR, and unfortunately for them, the wrong half came last. KKR never got going. Rahane, Raghuvanshi, and Seifert all fell inside the Powerplay, leaving them three down and in deep trouble before the innings had barely begun. Enter Rovman Powell, promoted up the order. The big West Indian brought some much-needed intent, and that positivity proved contagious. Green fed off the energy, the two steadied the ship and stitched together a fifty-plus partnership that had KKR get back on track through some big overs. But Powell's departure changed everything as GT kept chipping away at the wickets with regularity. Green soldiered on alone and brought up a fine half century, single-handedly dragging KKR towards respectability. The problem was that he could barely get on strike in the final five overs, which resulted in the slowdown. Hence, KKR couldn't finish on a high and were restricted well short of 200.

Plans fall flat - KKR's bowlers never really found their footing. They leaked runs in crucial phases, lacked the penetration to build pressure, and by the time they had any chance of making an impact, the game was already well beyond them. Varun Chakaravarthy found his rhythm back with a couple of wickets, while Narine was at his usual best yet again, but the irregularity of wickets cost KKR yet again. Gill's masterclass was eventually halted, and it did get too close for their comfort, with the game being dragged into the final over. But Glenn Phillips chipped in with a crucial contribution, and Tewatia and Shahrukh applied the finishing touches. GT did not crash over the line. They just managed to tiptoe over it.

Gill, the maestro with the bat - Sai and Gill did what Sai and Gill do. No fireworks, no hitting with anger, just silky timing into the gaps and ruthless punishment of anything loose. When Narine prised out Sudharsan, it threatened to open a door, but Buttler walked out and shut it immediately, batting with intent and refusing to let the dot balls pile up. By the end of the Powerplay, GT were cruising at 71/1. KKR, for context, had been 37 for 3 at the same stage. The game, in all honesty, was done and dusted right there. And the centre of dominance was Shubman Gill, who treated everyone with several eye-pleasing strokes, continuing his love affair with Ahmedabad and getting to a well-deserved half century as well.

GT get past the finish line - It got a bit nervy at the end, didn't it? The Titans took the scenic route, slowed down in the last few overs, lost a couple of key wickets as well, but did manage to get the job done. This is GT's first win at home this season and with this, they march into the top four in the league standings. Spare a thought for Rahane and his Knight Riders, though. It is fair to say that their campaign is virtually on the brink of getting over well early, as this is their fifth defeat in six games. They are yet to get their first win of this season, with a lot of questions to answer.

19.4: Ramandeep Singh to Shahrukh Khan, That will do it nicely for the Gujarat Titans! They huff and puff their way over the line. GT win by 5 wickets and hand the winless KKR their 5th defeat of the season. Ramandeep bashes the hard length and keeps it away from the batter's arc. Shahrukh Khan hops and reaches out to slam it wide of long off. Rovman Powell moves swiftly to his left and tumbles to make the stop, but cannot prevent the batters from coming back for the second run.

19.3: Ramandeep Singh to Rahul Tewatia, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! Ramandeep takes pace off and goes full, on middle. Tewatia pushes out in front and the ball skews off a leading edge. Ajinkya Rahane at extra cover is standing on the edge of the ring and the ball drops well in front of him. Just a single. 2 required off 3 balls.

19.2: Ramandeep Singh to Shahrukh Khan, On a hard length, on off. Shahrukh Khan waits back and runs it down to deep backward point with an open bat face for a single.

Ahem! It is not over until it is over. GT use their impact sub option as Shahrukh Khan is in at number 7. Prasidh Krishna makes way for him. 

Prasidh Krishna is substituted by Shahrukh Khan

19.1: Ramandeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, OUT! CAUGHT! Well, well. Glenn Phillips goes and KKR have a glimmer of hope. Ramandeep bends his back and digs it in short, around the off stump. Phillips gets on his toes and looks to drag the pull in front of square. He was better off giving himself a bit of room and going through the off side. Glenn fails to get on top of the bounce and a top edge is found. Rinku Singh comes charging in off the ropes and grabs it near his chest. 4 needed off 5 for GT.

Not an ideal start from Ramandeep. A wide at this stage is a cardinal sin.

19.1: Ramandeep Singh to Glenn Phillips, Wide! Ramandeep Singh starts with a wide. Tries to keep it away from the batter's arc but he slips it beyond the tramline. Glenn Phillips is standing on the off stump and he lets it be.

So we will go into the final over, then. The Titans need 5 runs to win. But who will bowl the last over? Will Rahane go with Green, who hasn't bowled a single over in this game, quite surprisingly? No, it will be Ramandeep Singh to bowl the last. 

18.6: Vaibhav Arora to Glenn Phillips, Pitched up now, full and wide on off. Phillips creams it to deep cover for just a single.

18.5: Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tewatia, A surprise short ball from Arora. He gets the ball to climb on the batter. Tewatia is late on the pull and the ball gets big on him. It comes off the splice of the blade and balloons towards the vacant mid-wicket region. They cross.

18.4: Vaibhav Arora to Glenn Phillips, A yorker, at the toes. Glenn turns it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.3: Vaibhav Arora to Glenn Phillips, Nails the wide yorker from around the stumps. Phillips drops his bat down on the ball and digs it out beside the strip on the leg side. Tewatia wants a single but Glenn is not aware of where the ball is and Anukul Roy charges to the ball from mid on to cut down the single.

18.2: Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tewatia, Low full toss, on middle. Tewatia gets low and swats it away to deep square leg for a run.

18.1: Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tewatia, Two runs saved! A little too straight from Arora. Full and angled in at the pads from around the wicket. Tewatia makes use of the angle and flicks it behind square leg. Kartik Tyagi is quick across the turf to his left from deep square leg. He puts in a dive and makes a half-stop. The ball threatens to trickle back into the ropes, but Sunil Narine, converging from deep fine leg, mops it up. Did Tyagi slide into the boundary cushions when he had the ball in hand? The third umpire is called into action, and after multiple replays, Tyagi’s effort is deemed clean. There was also a check on whether the boundary cushions had been pushed back and if the ball had actually crossed the rope, but all is in order.

Is that a boundary? This is much closer than it looked in real time. Tyagi dives to cut the ball off, but the boundary cushions appear to have been pushed back with Tyagi's slide, and the ball seemingly stops short of the rope. It is picked up by Sunil Narine. But did he pick the ball up before touching the cushions? Several angles are checked, but this is too close. And the verdict goes in favor of the fielding team. So a certain boundary saved by Tyagi. 

Righto, 2 overs left. GT are within touching distance and need 11 to win. Vaibhav Arora will complete his spell now. 3-0-29-1 so far.

17.6: Kartik Tyagi to Rahul Tewatia, Going across the off stump, fractionally on a back of a length. This is cut away to deep point by Tewatia. He will keep the strike with this single. A wicketless outing for Tyagi, conceding 40 runs in his 4 overs.

17.5: Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Phillips, Pace on now, on a good length, on middle. Phillips hops and is a bit rushed. Ekes out an inside edge onto the pads and it goes through square leg for a single.

17.4: Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Gets it away! Not much wrong with the ball, to be honest. Tyagi serves the slower bumper, over off. Phillips gets on his toes and he waits for the ball to arrive. He gets on top of the bounce and helps the pull between short fine leg and deep backward square leg for four more. 13 more needed for GT.

17.3: Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Phillips, FOUR! Hit hard and wide enough! Kartik Tyagi keeps it full and straight, at the sticks. Phillips is able to get under the ball and presents the full face of the bat. With a high elbow, he plays an uppish drive but to the left of long on for a boundary.

17.2: Kartik Tyagi to Rahul Tewatia, Tyagi dishes it out full, on off. Tewatia drives it without much timing to the left of mid off for a run.

17.1: Kartik Tyagi to Glenn Phillips, Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Phillips punches it on the up to long off for a single.

Last 3 overs remaining. With the fall of Gill, is there any twist left in this game? GT still need 23 runs from 18 balls. And the new batter is Rahul Tewatia, at number 6. Kartik Tyagi (3-0-28-0) to bowl out now.

16.6: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, OUT! CAUGHT! Cameron Green pulls off a spectacular grab. The wide line has eventually worked for Vaibhav Arora. A seam-up ball, full and angling away. Gill hangs deep in the crease and is standing with an open stance. He throws the kitchen sink at it. Slices it off the outer half as the top hand comes off the bat handle. It goes flat to deep backward point, where Green runs in off the ropes and puts a full-length dive in front. Gets his hands under the ball and holds onto a top catch. Gill tosses his bat in frustration. He wanted to be there till the end. It will have to be someone else to get the job done for GT.

16.6: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, Wide! Arora goes back to the wide line but this goes beyond the wide tramline. Gill lets it be.

16.5: Vaibhav Arora to Glenn Phillips, Attacks the stumps this time with a fullish ball, Phillips brings his bat out in front of the pads and knocks it wide of mid on, where the fielder slides to his right and tidies up. Just a single.

16.4: Vaibhav Arora to Glenn Phillips, Very full, near the tramline on off. Phillips hangs low and extends his hands to carve it behind point. Cameron Green gets around to his right in the deep and mops it up. Two runs taken.

16.3: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, On the fuller side, outside off. Gill hangs deep in the crease and slices it in front of deep extra cover for a run.

16.2: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Rinku's effort goes in vain. Another ball going away, on a length. Shubman connects this time as he spanks it flat to deep extra cover. Rinku Singh sprints and flings himself to his right. He sticks out his right hand, but the ball drops short. He lays a hand on it, but it is not enough to stop the ball from touching the boundary cushions. 150 UP FOR GUJARAT TITANS!

16.1: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, A swing and a miss! From around the wicket, this is pushed across the right-hander, on a good length. Gill drops to a knee and swings hard to go over cover but connects with thin air.

STRATEGIC BREAK! GT are strolling their way to the finish line now as they need just 32 runs in 24 balls. KKR have managed to squeeze in a couple of quiet overs, but the irregularity of wickets is still there. Gill has played a fine knock yet again and he will look to see his side through without any hiccups. However, a couple of wickets here could definitely make this one interesting. But can KKR conjure up a moment of brilliance in the climax stage of the game? Vaibhav Arora (2-0-20-0) returns to the attack.

15.6: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, Slower through the air, on a nagging length, on middle. Shubman nurdles it square on the leg side and keeps the strike with a single.

15.5: Anukul Roy to Glenn Phillips, Nearly sneaked through! This keeps coming in with the angle, on middle. Phillips stays back to a full ball. The ball holds its line and it squirts off the outer half. It goes through point for another single.

15.4: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, Speared in, on a good length, on middle and leg. Gill steps out and flicks it to deep mid-wicket. They cross.

15.3: Anukul Roy to Glenn Phillips, Around the pads, on a good length. Glenn hops back and wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

15.2: Anukul Roy to Glenn Phillips, Shorter and flatter, on middle. GP punches it off the back foot down the strip. Roy dives to his right and makes the stop.

15.2: Anukul Roy to Glenn Phillips, Wide! Full and down leg. Glenn Phillips goes for the sweep but misses. A good take by Tim Seifert by moving to his left. Half a shout for caught behind but turned down.

15.1: Anukul Roy to Glenn Phillips, Anukul Roy has been brought back into the attack. Full and sliding on with the arm. Glenn Phillips brings his bat out in front and clips it to mid-wicket.

14.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Phillips, A touch short, on middle, Phillips nudges it off the back foot for a single at deep square leg.

14.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, Pitched outside leg, full in length. Gill turns it to deep backward square leg for an easy single.

14.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Glenn Phillips, Googly on a length around middle and leg. Phillips tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Glenn Phillips comes out to the middle. Can KKR pick up another wicket or even two quickly and breathe life into this game? KKR are on the attack. A slip in place.

14.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Washington Sundar, OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! A wicket against the run of play as Varun gets his second. He angles the ball on the middle stump line, on a length, from around the stump. Washington Sundar hangs deep in the crease and tries to whip it aerially, but airs it straight to deep backward square leg. Kartik Tyagi crouches low as the ball dips and takes a fine catch in the deep to send Sundar packing. Gujarat Titans are 141/3, needing 40 runs from 33 balls.

14.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, Comes from around the stump. Full and outside leg. Gill steers it through square leg and rotates the strike over.

14.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Washington Sundar, Not that short, on middle. Sundar collapses his knee on the pitch and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy comes back into the attack. At the end of 14 overs, KKR were 139/4, while GT have lost a couple of wickets less with the same number of runs. A warning has been issued to KKR for not starting the over on time.

13.6: Kartik Tyagi to Washington Sundar, At 113.4 kph, shortish in length, on leg. Washington Sundar waits back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.

13.6: Kartik Tyagi to Washington Sundar, Wide! On a shortish length, sprayed down leg. Sundar walks inside the line and swings away. One hand comes off the bat handle and he fails to connect.

13.5: Kartik Tyagi to Washington Sundar, FOUR! Gets enough on it! Tyagi tries to tuck Sundar up for space and bashes the short ball at the ribs of the batter. Generates a good bit of bounce as well. Sundar rises on the toes, gets a bit of glove on the ball, and it shoots to the deep fine leg fence, beating Seifert's dive to his right.

13.4: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, Slower off cutter, a length ball, on top of middle. Gill waits and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

13.3: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, SIX! My word, that is some shot! Back of a length, angled into the right-hander. Shubman Gill goes back in the crease before pulling it right off the middle of the bat. Clears deep square leg with ease for six runs.

13.2: Kartik Tyagi to Washington Sundar, Bangs it halfway into the pitch, on leg, Sundar misses to glance it to the leg side. The ball deflects off his thigh pad and rolls behind to the left of short fine leg. A leg bye taken.

13.1: Kartik Tyagi to Washington Sundar, Speared fuller on the pads. Sundar flicks it into the vast deep mid-wicket space and they come back easily for the second.

A slight hold-up as the ball is being changed. Kartik Tyagi returns to the attack. 2-0-13-0 so far for the right-arm speedster.

12.6: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Off break, full and on off. Gill plays off the front foot again and drives it to short cover. Another frugal spell from Narine as he ends with 4-0-28-1.

12.5: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Served fuller, on the stumps. Gill gets on the front foot and drives it back to Narine, who half-stops with his right hand.

12.4: Sunil Narine to Washington Sundar, Slower than the previous ball, outside off on a length. Easily punched off the back foot to long off for a single again.

12.3: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Keeps the stumps in play, does Narine, on leg. Shubman Gill jabs it down to long on for one more.

12.2: Sunil Narine to Washington Sundar, Spins sharply in from leg to middle. Sundar goes back and across and knocks it wide of mid on for a run.

12.1: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Floats it full and on middle. Gill dances down the track and drives it gently to long off for a single.

Shubman Gill replenishes himself with fluids and is ready to resume. Sunil Narine to continue with GT needing 62 runs from 48 balls. Cameron Green is off the field for the moment. Manish Pandey has come on as the substitute.

11.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, A length ball, outside off, Gill rocks back quickly and cuts it behind backward point for an easy run to retain strike.

11.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, SIX! A relaxed hit from Gill! In the arc, full around off. Gill lunges forward, hits through the line and golfs it straight down the ground for a six.

11.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, Nice and full, turning in, Gill taps it to mid on off the front foot.

11.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Just over! Pitched outside off, on a good length. Shubman Gill camps back, and late cuts it uppishly, just over the leaping backward point fielder. Anukul Roy jumps, but the ball goes over his head, and it races to the fence behind.

11.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, And again! Around off, on a fuller length. Gill shimmies down a bit and drives it to the left of long off for a couple more.

11.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, Flat and on middle, on a fractionally fuller length. Shubman Gill walks forward and dinks it between long on and deep mid-wicket and they scamper back for the second run. Excellent piece of running between the wickets.

10.6: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Shortish on leg. Gill hangs back and nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.5: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Drops it on a length, around off. Gill presses back and cuts it to the backward point fielder.

10.4: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Two is the call and they will get it easily. Pushed full and on middle. Gill gets on the front foot and flicks it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

10.3: Sunil Narine to Washington Sundar, Short and outside off, Sundar cuts it off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

10.2: Sunil Narine to Washington Sundar, Full and on off, pushed back to Narine.

10.1: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, FIFTY FOR SHUBMAN GILL! Sublime batting with silky smooth timing from him so far. Full and sliding on leg, this is clipped by Gill to the deep mid-wicket region for a single to get to his milestone in 27 balls. Three consecutive half-centuries for the GT skipper this season. He is in great nick, and it just shows. Also, the 100 COMES UP FOR GT!

Halfway through. KKR just trying to claw their way back in. Just 6 runs in the last 2 overs for GT. Change of ends for Sunil Narine. 2-0-19-1 so far.

9.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, Full and on leg. Gill helps it off the pads wide of short fine leg for one more.

9.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Washington Sundar, Pushed into the batter, short in length. Sundar hangs back and punches it down to long on for a single.

9.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, Across off, on a nagging length. Gill glides it wide of point for a run.

9.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Washington Sundar, On a good length, angled into the pads. Sundar goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid wicket for a single.

9.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Washington Sundar, Edged away! Shorter and on off. Sundar pokes at it. The ball goes off an outside edge to short third.

An important wicket for KKR from one of their trump cards. In walks Washington Sundar at number 4.

9.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! 100th wicket in KKR colours for Varun Chakaravarthy. The change in angle works for Chakaravarthy. Floated up from around the wicket, full and on middle. Buttler keeps a still head and looks to go down the ground. The bat turns in his hand, and Buttler does not get any elevation on the shot. Hits it flat and straight down the throat of long on, where Cameron Green gets low and gobbles it up. Believe it or not, this is the first wicket of the season for Varun. This is also his first wicket against GT in the league's history.

That was a pretty good over from Tyagi. But again, KKR have been kept deprived of wickets. GT need 86 from 66 balls.

8.6: Kartik Tyagi to Jos Buttler, Wider on off, on a good length. Jos throws his hands at the ball and carves it to deep cover for a single.

8.5: Kartik Tyagi to Jos Buttler, Well bowled! A sharp and quick bumper, over the right shoulder. The ball gets to Buttler quicker than he anticipated. He eventually takes his eyes off the ball while attempting the pull. The ball flies past the blade and catches Jos on the right shoulder before ballooning in front of the keeper.

8.4: Kartik Tyagi to Jos Buttler, Hits the top of middle, does Tyagi. Buttler gets on his toes and drops it beside the strip on the leg side.

8.3: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, Into the wicket, outside off. Shubman plays the short-arm jab through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

8.2: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, On a back of a length, on off. Shubman angles it to backward point off the back foot.

8.1: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, Sharp stop! Gill is cross with himself for missing out. Tyagi begins with a full ball, outside off. Gill transfers the weight to the front foot, and he cracks the drive but can't beat Ajinkya Rahane at cover, who dives to his right to make the stop.

Kartik Tyagi (1-0-11-0) is brought back on, replacing Anukul Roy.

7.6: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, On a length, at the stumps. Gill pats it to long on for one more run. A six on the first ball, followed by four singles. GT are doing it all too easily.  88 runs required in 72 balls.

7.5: Varun Chakaravarthy to Jos Buttler, Coming into the right-hander, on a good length. Jos wrists it to deep square leg and crosses over.

7.4: Varun Chakaravarthy to Shubman Gill, Keeps the stumps in play, on a nagging length. Gill clips it in front of deep mid-wicket. They take the first run hard but eventually settle with one as the deep mid-wicket fielder is quick on the ball.

7.3: Varun Chakaravarthy to Jos Buttler, Pushed through, on a good length, on the off stump. Jos dabs it wide of point for a single.

7.2: Varun Chakaravarthy to Jos Buttler, Shorter and on middle. Buttler misses out on the flick and wears it on the thigh pad.

7.1: Varun Chakaravarthy to Jos Buttler, SIX! One hand comes off the handle, but it does not matter! Varun Chakaravarthy is greeted into the attack with a six. Chakaravarthy gives the ball a bit of air, full and on middle. Varun ends up being a bit too full, and Buttler swings through the line. It goes more off the inner half, but he clears the long on fence.

Varun Chakaravarthy will bowl now. Can he make some impact for KKR this evening? He replaces Sunil Narine. GT need 98 runs from 78 balls.

6.6: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Easy as you like! Roy tries to keep it away from the right-hander, perhaps expecting a charge from the GT skipper. Gill hangs on the back foot and walks across to get closer to the line of the ball. He opens the bat face and guides it wide of short third to his right for another four.

6.5: Anukul Roy to Jos Buttler, Darted in at 92.8 kph, on a good length. Jos turns it off the pads in front of square on the leg side. They cross.

6.4: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, Roy drags the length back, on middle. Shubman whips it off the back foot to wide long on and turns the strike over.

6.3: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Sublime from Shubman! Fighted delivery, full and outside off. Gill gets the width and he cashes in. He reaches out and hits it aerially to the left of cover for a boundary.

6.2: Anukul Roy to Jos Buttler, Sprayed on the pads, on a length. This is nurdled behind square leg for another single.

6.1: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, Drifting in from around the wicket, full and on middle. Gill knocks it to long on for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! As usual, this has been a dominating start for the Titans through their top order. With 71/1, the hosts have bossed the first six overs and pushed the Knight Riders firmly on the back foot. The visitors at the same stage were 37/3, which tells the story of where this match stands right now. They need wickets and right now before it's too late. Gill is timing the ball really well, and Buttler's counterpunch right after Sudharsan's dismissal has shrunk down the required rate massively. Titans need 110 runs from 84 balls. And KKR have decided to use their Impact Player. IN - Varun Chakaravarthy | OUT - Angkrish Raghuvanshi. But surprisingly, Varun won't be bowling straightaway as Anukul Roy has been brought back. 1-0-20-0 so far.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi is substituted by Varun Chakaravarthy

5.6: Sunil Narine to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Oh, on any other day, that would have crashed into the stumps. Off-break from Narine, on a nagging length. Buttler's feet go nowhere, and he just pushes out in front. The ball turns back in to catch the inside edge and it flies over the leg stump with the keeper, Tim Seifert, standing no chance. The ball races down to deep fine leg for another four. A wicket and 14 runs off the final over of the Powerplay.

5.5: Sunil Narine to Jos Buttler, Flatter and shorter, on off. Buttler goes on the back foot and gets behind the line to defend.

5.4: Sunil Narine to Jos Buttler, SIX! Stand and deliver! Narine just hangs it up there, full and on off. A hint of spin towards the right-hander. Jos just holds his shape and swings through the line. Tonks it over mid off for a biggie.

5.3: Sunil Narine to Jos Buttler, Shorter and quicker at 92.2 kph. This spins back in at the off pole. Buttler hurriedly chops it down to point.

5.2: Sunil Narine to Jos Buttler, FOUR! No sighters needed for Buttler! Floated up there, around the off stump. Jos presses forward and extends his hands to carve it over cover for a boundary.

Narine, the partnership breaker. Jos Buttler is in at number 3.

5.1: Sunil Narine to Sai Sudharsan, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Sunil Narine provides KKR with a much-needed breakthrough. Narine spots Sai backing away, and he follows him with a full ball. With square leg inside the circle, Sudharsan sinks to a knee and looks to go up and over that man inside the circle. A top edge is found, and it goes straight up towards short fine leg, where Kartik Tyagi moves to his right and takes the catch. The 57-run opening stand has been broken. Can KKR build on this scalp?

4.6: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Runs away! Short of a length outside the off stump. 130.6 kph. Gill stands tall, uses the angle and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary.

4.5: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, Oh, just short of Tyagi! Shortish delivery angling on the leg stump. Shubman Gill goes for the pull shot but gloves it toward the short fine leg region. Kartik Tyagi is seemingly a bit late to react, and puts a dive forward, but the ball yorks his fingers.

4.4: Vaibhav Arora to Sai Sudharsan, Short and angled across, Sai tries to pull, but toe ends it to the left of mid off for a single.

4.3: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, Back of a length, at 133.1 kph, on leg. Shubman Gill backs away and jabs it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

4.2: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, SIX! Targets the safest area! Into the slot, full and around off. Gill stands deep in the crease and smokes it straight down the ground for a cracking six. 50 UP FOR THE TITANS in just 4.2 overs.

4.1: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, BEATEN ALL ENDS UP! Spots Shubman backing away and charging down the track. Vaibhav bangs one into the pitch and follows the batter to cramp him for space. Gill tries to square cut it away, but fails to put his bat on the ball.

Double change? Indeed. Vaibhav Arora (1-0-8-0) is back.

3.6: Sunil Narine to Sai Sudharsan, Nice comeback by Narine. Drifts back in from middle, on a length. Sudharsan tucks it into the mid-wicket region but there is protection. Only 5 runs from Narine's first.

3.5: Sunil Narine to Sai Sudharsan, Around off and short, Sai rocks back and punches it to cover.

3.4: Sunil Narine to Sai Sudharsan, Pulls the length back, on leg. Sai Sudharsan is absolutely cramped up for space and is hit on the front pad.

3.3: Sunil Narine to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Excellent timing and placement! Short from Narine, on middle, Sai Sudharsan is quick to go deep inside the crease and pulls it uppishly to the left of deep mid-wicket. Ramandeep Singh flings himself in that direction, but the ball stays out of his reach.

3.2: Sunil Narine to Sai Sudharsan, Slowish fuller ball, on middle. Sai backs away and eases it to the cover region.

3.1: Sunil Narine to Shubman Gill, Off break, full and on off. Gill presses in front and pushes it to mid on.

Ajinkya Rahane turns to Sunil Narine in search of a breakthrough.

2.6: Anukul Roy to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Clean hit! Another juicy half-volley, on middle and leg. Sai Sudharsan clears the front leg to make room for himself, gets under the ball and launches it handsomely over the deep mid-wicket fence for six more.

2.5: Anukul Roy to Sai Sudharsan, Throws it flat and across the batter, on a short length, at 97.9 kph. Sai Sudharsan chop-cuts it to the point region.

2.4: Anukul Roy to Sai Sudharsan, SIX! Sudharsan joins the spree! A loosener from Roy, full and on leg. Sai Sudharsan plants the back leg into the pitch and sweeps it over deep fine leg for a six.

2.3: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, Into the blockhole, at 95.8 kph, on off, Gill carves it through mid off for a single.

2.2: Anukul Roy to Shubman Gill, SIX! MAJESTIC SHOT! Anukul serves it up on the platter, full and outside off. Shubman Gill skips down the track and lofts it inside out over extra cover for a 73-meter biggie. All class from the GT skipper. He moves to 21 off just 8 balls.

2.1: Anukul Roy to Sai Sudharsan, Floats it full and on leg, from around the stump. Sai clips it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a run.

1.6: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Right out of the coach's manual! As sweet as nectar. A half-volley by Kartik, around off. Shubman Gill presents a straight bat and a steady head. Cracks the straight drive back past the bowler for a boundary and holds the pose.

1.5: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, FOUR! This time, he finds the gap! Pitched fuller and outside the off pole. Shubman Gill gets on the front foot, finds the middle of the bat and hits it a bit uppishly, but in the mid off and extra cover gap for a blazing boundary.

1.4: Kartik Tyagi to Shubman Gill, Straight, around off, full. Gill nails the cover drive off the front foot, but finds the fielder at cover.

1.3: Kartik Tyagi to Sai Sudharsan, Searing in at 150.4 kph, full on middle. Sai Sudharsan flicks it to the left of mid-wicket and slows down a bit in the outfield. Sunil Narine sprints from the inner ring and stops it just before the ropes. Three taken.

1.2: Kartik Tyagi to Sai Sudharsan, Full and at 146.3 kph, on middle and off. Sai Sudharsan blocks it solidly down the pitch.

1.1: Kartik Tyagi to Sai Sudharsan, Inswinging full toss, on off. Sudharsan stands tall and knocks it straight back at the bowler. Kartik sticks out his right hand and the ball is deflected to the mid on region.

Kartik Tyagi will steam in from the other end. He was impressive against CSK in Chennai, where he bowled in the middle phase and at the death. Rahane has trusted him with the new ball tonight.

0.6: Vaibhav Arora to Sai Sudharsan, Not that full, not that short either, on leg. Sai Sudharsan plays off the back foot and wrists it to deep square leg to get off the mark. 9 runs off the opening over for the Titans.

0.5: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, A good-length delivery, shaping in on the pads. Gill steers it to deep backward square leg for a single.

0.4: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Crashed away! Swings in from outside off, on a good length. Shubman Gill gets on top of it and clobbers it through the cover and mid off gap for a cracking boundary. That went like a tracer-bullet.

0.3: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, A big inswinger, full on leg. Shubman Gill clips it over mid-wicket. Ramandeep Singh chases the ball from the inner ring, stops it with a slide and they cross over for two runs.

0.2: Vaibhav Arora to Shubman Gill, Touch full at 129.4 kph, outside off, swinging away. Shubman Gill watches closely and opts to leave.

0.1: Vaibhav Arora to Sai Sudharsan, A bit of inswing, full on the pads. Sai Sudharsan misses to flick and the ball deflects off the front pad and rolls wide of square leg. They cross for a leg bye.

We are back for Gujarat’s batting reply. Ajinkya Rahane leads his troops out to the centre. Varun Chakaravarthy is on the sidelines with the playing kit, and you would expect him to come in as KKR's Impact Sub, though he has not been introduced just yet. Out walk the two GT openers, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Vaibhav Arora will kick things off with the new ball. Here we go!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Advantage GT - Right then, GT will back themselves to chase this down, but there might be some assistance with the new ball. KKR's pacers need to maximise that help if they are to win their first game of the season, because GT's top three have often laid the perfect foundation in chases. Stay tuned for the chase!

A quick word - Mohammed Siraj opens up about his rhythm, saying he played only a single game in the T20 World Cup, which meant he lacked match rhythm coming in. He adds that he has found it back over the last two matches. He explains that his bowling is built around his run-up, and that visualisation is a key part of his process. On the pitch, he calls it a very good wicket for batting. Shares that the brief with the new ball was straightforward, to hit the right areas as consistently as possible and let the seam do the work. On the team environment, he says it remains unchanged. Adds that ups and downs are inevitable in a long tournament, but nothing shifts within the group. Mentions that everyone backs each other, the positive energy stays constant, and in a high-pressure game where emotions run high, that collective support, he believes, is everything.

A spark in the middle - Rovman Powell then tried to shift the momentum with a counter-attack, but could not carry on for long enough. After Powell's departure, Cameron Green took matters into his own hands and put behind his early struggles. A defining moment came in the over against Rashid Khan, where he struck a couple of fours and a six, which got him going. It all looked rosy for the Knight Riders, but once the Titans got rid of Anukul Roy, they began to chip away at the wickets. Green was also starved of strike at the death, facing just 11 balls across the last 5 overs, which further stalled KKR's finish as he watched partners come and go.

We want to bat freely - That's what Ajinkya Rahane said at the toss after opting to bat without the scoreboard pressure, but GT allowed KKR anything but that in the opening exchanges. Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada hit their straps straight away, extracting movement both off the seam and through the air, along with some uneven bounce. KKR were rocked early and reduced to 32/3, with just 37 runs coming off the Powerplay.

KKR end up with 180 - GT started strongly and have finished well too. KKR will be disappointed with the way they finished. After recovering from a shaky start, things looked promising heading into the death overs, but it all fell away as Kolkata lost their last 6 wickets for 33 runs.

19.6: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Fantastic final over from Rashid after being carted in the previous three overs. A good length leg break, wide outside off. Green is half forward, and reaches for it by throwing his hands at it, but only finds the outside edge through to the keeper. A sharp catch from Jos Buttler behind the stumps, to his right. KKR ARE BOWLED OUT ON 180!

19.5: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, FOUR BYES! Goes past everyone! Flighted and too full, on middle and leg, Green comes charging down the track to smash it out of his presence, but the ball dips on him and Green misses. Buttler is perhaps blinded by the batter standing in front of him and is late to react, and it races away behind to the deep fine leg fence for four byes.

19.4: Rashid Khan to Vaibhav Arora, A googly, short of a length on middle. It hits the pad as Arora looks to clip, and the ball dribbles down to short fine leg for a leg bye.

19.3: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Takes the single. Very full on middle, Green steps out and works it to long on for a run. Exposes Vaibhav for the next three balls.

19.2: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Leg break, outside off, Green stands tall and tries to crash it over cover, but is nowhere near the pitch and is beaten all ends up.

19.1: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Nicely bowled! Slower through the air, outside off, on a length. Green switches the stance to play the reverse sweep, but misses to connect.

Well, well! It will be Rashid Khan to bowl the final over and not Ashok Sharma. A gamble taken by Shubman Gill. Rashid has gone for 43 runs in his 3 overs, and Green has had the wood over the leggie tonight.

18.6: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Almost a yorker on middle and leg. Green drills it to the right of long on for a single and retains the strike.

18.5: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, No timing! A low full toss angling down leg. Green shuffles across to the off side and looks to scoop it over short fine leg, but plays all over it completely. The leading edge is found and the ball loops and lands well short and between the keeper and the short third fielder. 

18.4: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Prasidh Krishna nails the yorker, angled into the right-hander. Green jams it out off an inside edge to short fine leg.

18.3: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Full and tailing into the pads. Green is cramped for space and fails to whip it away. The ball goes off an inside edge to short fine leg.

Vaibhav Arora is the last man in, but it will be Cameron Green on strike. 147/4 has become 173/9.

18.2: Prasidh Krishna to Kartik Tyagi, OUT! KARTIK TYAGI IS RUN OUT! Good presence of mind from Krishna. He nails the yorker at the legs again, and Tyagi ends up nutmegging himself while trying to flick the ball to the leg side. Buttler collects the ball and Tyagi is still ball-watching, but Green rushes through to the other end, but Buttler misses his shy at the striker's end and the ball rolls to the bowler. Krishna picks the ball and runs to the bowling end to dislodge the bails with Kartik nowhere in the frame.

18.1: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, A yorker at the legs, Green whips it to the left of short fine leg for a single.

Prasidh Krishna will bowl the 19th over. 3-0-30-1 so far for Prasidh.

17.6: Mohammed Siraj to Kartik Tyagi, SIX! Oh, that's a fine shot! Crucial runs for the Knight Riders. Siraj digs in a bouncer at shoulder height of the batter. Kartik duck-pulls it uppishly on the leg side and gets a good wood on that, managing to clear the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen runs.

17.5: Mohammed Siraj to Kartik Tyagi, Good gas! Sharp short ball, over the stumps. Kartik takes his eyes off and sways away to leave the ball.

17.4: Mohammed Siraj to Kartik Tyagi, Full and on off, at 138.9 kph, Tyagi pushes it back at the bowler.

Cameron Green is watching partners come and go. It is all going downhill for KKR. Kartik Tyagi is the new batter.

17.3: Mohammed Siraj to Sunil Narine, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Phillips comes up with a fine catch. A full ball by Siraj, outside the off stump. Sunil Narine tries to pump it behind deep cover, but slices it aerially behind the point region. Glenn Phillips from backward point, covers a lot of ground to his left, running backward and actually, for a moment, overruns, but manages to take the catch with a slide. Kolkata Knight Riders are 166/8 now, with their innings falling apart.

17.2: Mohammed Siraj to Sunil Narine, Hard length, over the top of middle, Sunil moves leg side, and opts to drop his wrists.

17.1: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, Too full on middle and leg. Green flicks it behind square leg for a run.

16.6: Ashok Sharma to Sunil Narine, This is good bowling. Keeps the angle across the batter, on a hard length, Sunil Narine clears the front leg, and looks to smash over the in-field on the off side, but misses to connect this one again.

16.5: Ashok Sharma to Sunil Narine, Again swing and a miss! Full, slanting across the left-hander and angling away at 150 kph. Narine backs away and throws his hands at it, but fails to connect.

16.4: Ashok Sharma to Sunil Narine, Back of a length around leg, with extra bounce. Narine backs away to create room and looks to slap it through the off side, but the ball skips past him and goes through to the keeper.

End of a breezy knock from Ramandeep Singh. Sunil Narine walks in next.

16.3: Ashok Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, OUT! MILES UP AND CAUGHT! The slower one does the trick again for Ashok. Back of the hand slower ball, full and outside off, at 105.9 kph. Ramandeep gets down on one knee and looks to go big down the ground. The change of pace deceives him. He fails to read it, miscues off the toe end, and sends it ballooning high into the wide long on region. Siraj moves to his right and settles under the skier, taking it with a reverse cup just above his right shoulder. 147/4 becomes 165/7 for KKR.

A glancing blow on the helmet for Ramandeep Singh. The physio is out for the concussion check. Ramandeep is ready to resume.

16.2: Ashok Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, FOUR! Runs behind! Smashes the short length and angles it around the left shoulder of the batter. Ramandeep Singh gets inside the line and tries to pull, but is hurried by the pace and bounce. Gets a top edge that brushes the helmet before the ball runs to the deep fine leg fence.

16.1: Ashok Sharma to Ramandeep Singh, FOUR! Wonderful shot! At 144.8 kph, this is slammed short and outside off. Ramandeep covers the off pole, arches back and uppercuts it over backward point for a boundary on the bounce.

15.6: Kagiso Rabada to Ramandeep Singh, Length ball nipping in at 143.2 kph, on leg. Ramandeep Singh clips it a bit aerially to the square leg region for a single only.

15.5: Kagiso Rabada to Ramandeep Singh, On a back of a length, angling into the body. Ramandeep Singh works it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

15.4: Kagiso Rabada to Ramandeep Singh, Nagging length, on middle. Ramandeep Singh tucks it to mid-wicket.

15.3: Kagiso Rabada to Ramandeep Singh, SIX! Helped away! Short at the ribs. Ramandeep Singh uses the pace, stands tall and pulls it behind deep fine leg for six.

15.2: Kagiso Rabada to Ramandeep Singh, On a hard length, on middle. Ramandeep Singh walks across and looks to clip it away. Gets a soft leading edge to cover.

Two wickets in 3 balls. Ramandeep Singh makes his way out to the centre.

15.1: Kagiso Rabada to Rinku Singh, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! No heroics from Rinku in Ahmedabad this time around. Slammed hard on a length, angled across the batter with a good bit of bounce. Rinku Singh opens up his stance and tries to smash it down the ground, but loses his shape completely while doing so and a thin outside edge is found. Buttler takes a regulation catch behind, followed by a muted celebration. Wicket number 3 for Rabada and GT come back strongly. Kolkata Knight Riders have slipped from 147/4 to 148/6 in the span of three balls.

111/2 in this 7-15 overs phase for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Kagiso Rabada is back on. 3-0-20-2 so far.

14.6: Prasidh Krishna to Rinku Singh, Going away, on a length. Rinku opens the bat face and carves it to deep point. Gets off the mark with a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! A wicket at a crucial time for the Titans, but this has been a sensational redemption for Cameron Green. Mind you, he started off on a sluggish note yet again, but he targeted Rashid Khan and hasn't looked back since. Still, anything below 200 might not be sufficient on a good batting track like this. For that, Green's presence in the middle is of huge importance for the Knight Riders. GT will look to slow things down from here and keep picking wickets. The visitors still have a couple of batters left to come, and Rinku Singh walks in at number 7.

14.5: Prasidh Krishna to Anukul Roy, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Prasidh Krishna breaks through for GT. Krishna pushes it across the left-hander, on a good length from over the wicket. Roy's weight stays on the back foot, and he stays leg side of the ball, looking to go inside out. The ball leaves him with the angle and grazes the outside edge on the way to the keeper, Jos Buttler, who snaffles it safely. Wicket number 11 of the season for Prasidh.

14.4: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Lowish full toss, on middle. Cameron swipes it away to deep mid-wicket for one more run.

14.4: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Wide! Krishna drifts down leg with a yorker. Cameron Green continues to stand deep in the crease and he tries to whip it away but misses.

14.3: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, FOUR! Put away with ease! Prasidh Krishna goes searching for the yorker. It comes out as a low full toss, on middle. Green stays deep in the crease and clears the front leg. He swats it to the right of long on for a boundary.

14.2: Prasidh Krishna to Anukul Roy, On a back of a length, on off. Anukul Roy runs it down to deep third for a run.

14.1: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Very full, a bit of tail back into the right-hander. Green smashes it down to long on for a single.

This has been an excellent phase for the Knight Riders. The last 3 overs have gone for 52 runs. Change of bowling. Prasidh Krishna (2-0-21-0) is back on, replacing Ashok Sharma.

13.6: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Very full at 94.7 kph, on middle. Cameron Green gets low, takes the front foot away and slogs it along the ground to deep mid-wicket's right for a single. 17 runs off Rashid's 3rd over.

13.5: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Rashid keeps it full, on middle. Green gets his hands through the line and hammers it back past the bowler. The long off fielder gets around and cuts it off. Two runs taken. A 50-run partnership comes up between Green and Roy. Fairly, a Green dominated one.

13.4: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Full and on middle. Green attempts the sweep. Gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball dribbles down the pitch.

13.3: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, DROPPED, FOUR! It is all going Cameron Green's way. Washington Sundar is the guilty party. Full and on middle. Cameron sinks to a knee and brings out the sweep. Green hits it flat and to the left of deep square leg. Sundar moves to his left in the deep and stays side-on to take the catch. He fails to cling on and to make matters worse for GT, the ball trickles into the ropes off his hands.

13.2: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, EDGED, FOUR! Googly, full and on middle. Green jumps out of the crease and ends up yorking himself. The ball catches an outside edge and Jos Buttler behind the wickets stands no chance. A healthy deflection and the ball goes Buttler's right before he can even react.

13.1: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, SIX! Incredible ball-striking. Not all that short, pushed through, on off and middle. Green stays deep in the crease and gets the front leg out of the way. He gets under the ball and mows it over mid-wicket for a six.

12.6: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, On a hard length, around off. Green presses back for the pull but mistimes the shot to deep mid-wicket for a single. Another productive over for KKR, 19 runs off it.

12.5: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, FIFTY FOR CAMERON GREEN! Off 34 balls. That will make him feel a lot better after all the struggles he has had this season. His first fifty in KKR colors, and overall, this is his 3rd IPL half century. This is pitched on a length, on off and middle. Green waits back and nudges it behind square leg and scampers back for the second run. The KKR dugout is up on its feet as he calmly raises his bat. 

12.4: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, SIX! That's into the stands. Slower length ball on off, Cameron Green dances down the track and hammers it over the long on fence for a cracking six.

12.4: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, WIDE! Sharp bumper, outside off, and it keeps flying off the pitch. Even Green's tall figure is unable to reach that for the ramp shot. Buttler leaps and collects the ball behind. Green has taken the review for wide not given, reckoning that it passed above his head. Ball Tracking confirms that it is over his head height. So it will be called a wide.

12.3: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, SIX! Clean strike! Sharma serves it on a back of a length, on middle. Green hangs deep in the crease, clears the front leg and smokes it over deep square leg. The ball thuds into the display car stationed beyond the advertising boards and causes a dent.

12.2: Ashok Sharma to Anukul Roy, On a length, on middle. Roy firms the drive on the bounce back to the bowler. Sharma gets a hand on it and it parries to the left of mid-wicket for a run.

12.1: Ashok Sharma to Anukul Roy, Tight second run! Across off, on a good length, Roy stays leg side and steers it to the left of deep third. A late decision to come back for the second run. Anukul hurries to the danger end as the throw comes in. Jos Buttler tries to deflect the ball onto the stumps but fails to make any contact.

11.6: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, FOUR! In the gap! Another expensive over from Rashid, 26 runs off his 2 overs so far. Predictable from Rashid as he drags the length back after being hit for a six. Green waits back and pulls it in the gap between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a four.

11.5: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, SIX! Good use of the feet! Rashid serves it on a good length, outside off. Cameron Green jumps out of the crease and even though he does not quite get entirely to the pitch of the ball, he uses his reach and launches it over long on for a biggie.

11.4: Rashid Khan to Anukul Roy, Full and on middle. Roy hits it down to long on for a run.

11.3: Rashid Khan to Anukul Roy, FOUR! Lovely stroke! Googly by Rashid, full and on off. Anukul Roy picks the wrong'un and reaches out in front. Goes inside out over cover and gets off the mark with a boundary.

11.2: Rashid Khan to Anukul Roy, On a nagging length, on off, Roy drops it with soft hands beside the strip on the off side. They think about a quick single but decide against it.

11.1: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, GT burn a review! Floated up, on a length, in and around the off pole. Green plants his front foot across and attempts the sweep. The ball sneaks under his bat to catch him on the knee roll on the front pad. A loud shout for LBW but turned down. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes down to deep fine leg. The impact looks outside the line but Rashid seems confident and GT send it upstairs. The Ball Tracking confirms that the impact is outside the line of the off stump.

A review for LBW, taken by the Gujarat Titans, challenging the on-field decision. No bat involved. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside off.

Top-drawer pace variations from Ashok in this over. With a budding partnership broken, KKR are back to square one, to reconstruct. Anukul Roy is the next batter.

10.6: Ashok Sharma to Rovman Powell, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Excellent deception from Ashok Sharma, and he gets the reward. The 55-run stand is broken. After the previous bouncer at 146 kph, Sharma dishes out the back-of-the-hand slower ball at 107.7 kph. This is fuller and around off. Powell clears the front leg and swings to go downtown but he does not pick the change of pace. Rovman is early into the lofted hit and skies it towards mid on, where Mohammed Siraj runs in off the ropes and takes the catch around his left shoulder. 

10.6: Ashok Sharma to Rovman Powell, Wide! Sharma brings out the bumper at 146 kph, over off. Powell goes for the pull but the ball sails over his head. Wide given for height. 

10.5: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, Not in control but safe! Back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a good length, near the tramline. Green is made to reach out and he swings to go back over the bowler's head. Slices it off the outer half over backward point. The sub fielder, Manav Suthar, runs over his right shoulder but the ball drops out of his reach. They cross.

10.4: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, Serious heat from Ashok! Slips in a bumper that skids through and keeps climbing on the batter, over off. Green tries to take it on but fails to connect. Cameron checks with Powell regarding he height of the ball but they eventually do not go for the review.

10.3: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, FOUR! Streaky! At 145.5 kph, on a length, outside off. Green clears the front leg and leaves nothing in the tank. Gets an inside edge that goes past the leg pole and races fine of the short fine leg fielder. The 50-run partnership comes up between Powell and Green.

10.2: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, Well bowled! Ashok bends his back and digs it in short at 143.3 kph, just around the off stump. Green swings hard at it for the pull but is beaten for pace.

10.2: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, No ball! Slower ball attempted by Sharma but he gets it all wrong. It lands outside the cut-strip on the off side. Green lets it go. Free Hit to follow...

10.1: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, Produces a searing yorker, right at the base of the middle stump. Green jams it out back to the bowler.

Ashok Sharma (1-0-11-0) back on with a switch of ends. He replaces Prasidh Krishna.

9.6: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, A short googly, on off. Green goes back and across to pull, but only gets a thick inside edge and the ball runs to long leg for a single. At halfway, Kolkata Knight Riders are 80/3.

9.5: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, FOUR! Uses his reach to good effect! Rashid pitches it outside off, and it is the googly, on a fuller length. Cameron Green drags his hands in front, gets low on a knee and nails the sweep shot to the deep square leg fence.

9.4: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Drags the length back, stump-to-stump, Cameron Green bunts it back to the bowler off the back foot.

9.4: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, WIDE! Too straight down leg, on a length. Green opts to leave.

9.3: Rashid Khan to Cameron Green, Full and flat, on middle, Green presses ahead and tugs it to mid-wicket.

9.2: Rashid Khan to Rovman Powell, Slightly pulls the length back, does Rashid. Powell sweeps it uppishly on the leg side for a single.

9.1: Rashid Khan to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Nicely done! Serves it full and in front of the middle pole. Rovman Powell gets his front foot across and sits down on a knee. Lap-sweeps it through the vacant short fine leg region and picks up a boundary.

Time for spin? Indeed. Here is Rashid Khan. The partnership has grown to 37 runs.

8.6: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Full toss at knee height, on middle. Green flicks it in the vast acreage between the long on and deep mid-wicket fielders. The latter gets across and the batters hustle back for the second. Another over that goes for double figures for the Knight Riders. 10 runs off it.

8.5: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Fired in fuller at 146.4 kph, almost a yorker, on the stumps. Green's head falls over a bit, and he squeezes it behind square leg for a couple of runs. Played more off the inside edge.

8.4: Prasidh Krishna to Rovman Powell, Pitched up, around off, Powell swings hard at it, and slices it above backward point for a run.

8.3: Prasidh Krishna to Rovman Powell, Hits the length hard, on off, Powell presses back and eases it to backward point.

8.2: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, A huge cry for LBW by the bowler, but the umpire is unmoved. Pushed fuller and nipping in from middle to leg. Green is drawn forward and gets a thin inside edge onto the pads before the ball rolls away to the off side. They cross.

8.1: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, FOUR! Good pick-up shot and that should get Green going! Touch back of a length, on off, angling in. Green picks the length early, weighs on the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket for a one-bounce boundary.

STRATEGIC BREAK! Good last couple of overs for KKR, and that has prompted the GT skipper, Shubman Gill, to call for the time-out. KKR are not out of choppy waters just yet, but the counter-attack from Rovman Powell would have helped ease some pressure off the struggling Cameron Green. The Titans still have the Knight Riders on the back foot, and will want to ensure the pressure created by Siraj and Rabada does not relent. Prasidh Krishna to bowl after the break. He went for 11 runs in his opening over.

7.6: Ashok Sharma to Rovman Powell, Hard legth, just outside off, punched off the back foot to the point fielder. Another productive over for KKR. 11 runs from it. 22 from the last 2 overs.

7.5: Ashok Sharma to Rovman Powell, FOUR! That's a sizzling shot! Back of a length, outside off, Rovman Powell cashes on the width offered. Sits back, uses the pace and square cuts it to the right of short third for a boundary. He was onto it in a flash.

7.4: Ashok Sharma to Rovman Powell, SIX! That was six the moment he hit it! Short by Ashok, on top of middle. Rovman Powell waits on the back foot, creates a strong base and nails the pull shot deep into the stands behind deep mid-wicket.

7.3: Ashok Sharma to Rovman Powell, Straighter line, outside off, on a length. Powell lines up to pull, but the ball doesn't rise much and he inside edges onto the pads.

7.2: Ashok Sharma to Rovman Powell, Touch full and around off. Powell knocks it to the right of cover. Glenn Phillips again, dives to his right and stops it.

7.1: Ashok Sharma to Cameron Green, Tight single! Starts with a hard length ball, on top of off, Green drops it off the back foot in front of cover-point and calls Powell through for a single. It is Glenn Phillips who dives forward and releases an underarm throw to the batting end, but misses his throw by a close margin, allowing Powell to rush in safely.

6.6: Prasidh Krishna to Rovman Powell, The length is slightly pulled back by 'Skiddy', Powell clips it through the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. 11 runs off Prasidh's first.

6.5: Prasidh Krishna to Rovman Powell, SIX! High and handsome! Pitched into the slot, on middle. Rovman Powell gets under it and launches it miles in the air, clearing the long on fence for half a dozen runs. KKR need more of these.

6.4: Prasidh Krishna to Rovman Powell, Nice and full, on the stumps, Powell drills it back to the bowler. Krishna collects the ball on his follow-through and throws it past Powell to the keeper in aggression.

6.3: Prasidh Krishna to Rovman Powell, A big appeal for LBW, but it is not entertained by the umpire. Not much enthusiasm from Buttler either and hence, the Titans do not review. Fullish in length, nipping back in from middle to leg. Rovman Powell plays over the line to push it straight but is hit on the front pad.

6.2: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, Shapes away slightly on a good length, outside off, at 136.3 kph. Cameron Green cuts it through point for a run.

6.2: Prasidh Krishna to Cameron Green, WIDE! Down the leg side, on a good length. Green gets inside the line to whip it but misses.

6.1: Prasidh Krishna to Rovman Powell, Full and wide on the off side, Powell reaches for it and slices it over point for a single.

GT's Powerplay without a doubt. Time for the first bowling change. Prasidh Krishna comes into the attack.

5.6: Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Green, Excellent bowling! Full and in front of the stumps, Cameron Green presses forward and smothers it back to the bowler. Just 1 run from this over. At the end of the Powerplay, KKR are crawling at 37/3.

5.5: Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Green, Beaten! Good pace and bounce for Rabada. On a length, kicking up, outside off. Cameron Green flays at it loosely, and the ball goes over his angled bat.

5.4: Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Green, Hits the hard length, at 141.6 kph, around off. Green stands tall and dabs it down to backward point.

5.3: Kagiso Rabada to Rovman Powell, Back of a length, outside off, Powell uses the pace and runs it behind to deep third for a single.

5.2: Kagiso Rabada to Rovman Powell, Play and a miss! Slightly fuller and wide outside off now. Powell does not move his feet much, throws his hands to hit it to the off side, but gets beaten as the ball nips away.

5.1: Kagiso Rabada to Rovman Powell, A slight appeal for LBW, but not given. Probably a bit too straight to go down leg. Full in length, angled at the leg stump line. Rovman Powell plays all around while trying to work it leg side and is hit on the front pad.

Will Rabada also get the third over? Yes, he will bowl the final over of the Powerplay. 2-0-19-2 so far are his bowling figures. Two slips in place. You rarely see that.

4.6: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, Siraj hurls it on a short of a length, on off. Cameron hangs back and guides it between backward point and cover-point. Glenn Phillips turns aorund and goes after it but cannot prevent the batters from taking the second run.

4.5: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, This keeps low! In the channel, on a good length. Green collapses his back knee and goes hard on the drive but he is beaten due to the lack of bounce.

4.4: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, Given caught behind, but successfully overturned! A surprise short ball from Siraj, over the left shoulder. Green tries to take it on but is late on the pull. The ball goes behind, where Jos Buttler takes the catch by moving to his left. Cameron Green reviews almost immediately. The replays show the ball to be passing over the bat and the glove. The UltraEdge confirms the same with a flat line. 

4.3: Mohammed Siraj to Rovman Powell, Continues on that off-stump line, on a good length. Powell is squared up as the ball jags away off the surface. It goes off the outer half to deep third for a run.

4.2: Mohammed Siraj to Rovman Powell, A ripper from Siraj! Seam-up ball, on a nagging length. This angles in before nipping away from the off stump. Powell presents a straight bat for the block but is beaten on the outside edge.

4.1: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, In and around the off stump, on a good length. Green waits on the back foot and steers it to the right of the man at backward point. They think about the second run but Glenn Phillips hunts it down and keeps the batters down to a single.

Serious trouble for the Knight Riders as their top order has been blown away in no time. In comes Rovman Powell at number 5. And three overs on the trot for Siraj. 2-0-12-1 so far.

3.6: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, OUT! CAUGHT! Two wickets in two overs for Rabada. The start gets even better for the Titans. Not the best of balls by Rabada, though. Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Tim Seifert looks to get on top of the bounce and flay it up and over the infield on the off side. The ball does not rise as much as the Kiwi expected it to. Tim hits it flat and straight to cover-point, where Glenn Phillips gobbles it up. KKR are 32/3.

3.5: Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Green, Moving away, on a length. Green pushes well away from his body. The ball goes off the outer edge to deep third for a single.

3.4: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! Rabada goes full, outside off. Seifert sees the ball in his arc and he swings for the hills. The ball flies down to the deep third fielder on the bounce off an outside edge. They cross.

3.3: Kagiso Rabada to Cameron Green, Angled in, on a good length, on middle. Green is beaten on the flick. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes square on the leg side.

3.2: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, Tighter line, on off and middle, on a nagging length. This is punched to the left of mid on for one.

3.1: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Gets it through! A bit wide on off, on a short of a length. Seifert gets on top of the bounce and plays a punchy drive on the up to the right of cover for a boundary.

2.6: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, Good effort! Siraj hits the back of a length, on off. Cameron plays it right under his eyes as he dabs it wide of backward point. Green waits for the ball to go past the fielder there but Seifert is halfway through. The sub fielder, Manav Suthar, flings himself to his left and cuts it off. He gets rid of the ball but Tim is in by then.

2.5: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, Full and in line with the off stump. Green gives himself a bit of room and flashes hard at the ball. Gets a thickish outside edge and it flies down to deep backward point. Ashok Sharma gets around to his right and saves a couple of runs for his side.

2.4: Mohammed Siraj to Cameron Green, Lovely bowling from Siraj! Nice and full, Siraj hangs it up there and gets the ball to swing away from the right-hander. Green is lured into the drive and he pushes away from his body, only to be beaten on the outside edge.

2.3: Mohammed Siraj to Tim Seifert, Just outside off, on a good length. Tim plays it on the up towards the catching cover fielder, who lets it through. The batters are quick to sneak in a single before Shubman Gill at mid off can get to the ball.

2.2: Mohammed Siraj to Tim Seifert, Siraj pulls the length back and keeps it around the off stump. Tim stabs it down on the off side.

2.1: Mohammed Siraj to Tim Seifert, Goes past the bat! Full and curving away at 137.3 kph, outside off. Seifert goes for the expansive drive away from his body, with his feet going nowhere. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Two big wickets for GT and problems are already rising for KKR early doors. The towering figure, and the man searching for runs, Cameron Green, walks in at number 4. It looks like his bat hasn't passed the gauge test, which is done by the on-field umpires. Green is waiting for another bat to be brought in. He finally receives the other one and it passes the test. All good to go.

1.6: Kagiso Rabada to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Kagiso Rabada gets his radar and strikes. That Test-match line and length, on a good length, in the corridor of uncertainty. Angkrish Raghuvanshi hangs back and opens the bat face, looking to run it down to deep third. The ball brushes the outside edge before going into the mitts of the keeper, Jos Buttler, who makes no mistake. With this, Buttler completes 300 T20 catches. First Siraj and now Rabada, both GT quicks striking in the first over.

1.6: Kagiso Rabada to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Wide! Fuller and sprayed down leg. Raghuvanshi misses out on the tickle.

1.5: Kagiso Rabada to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, FOUR! Siraj's effort goes in vain. Rabada drags the length back and offers width. Angkrish Raghuvanshi flashes at it but is late in doing so. The ball comes off the toe end and races down to deep third. Siraj dives to his left but the ball evades him.

1.4: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, Angled into the right-hander, on a length. Seifert works it wide of mid on for one.

1.3: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, SIX! Nicely put away! Fuller than the previous ball and the line is on top of off. Seifert picks up the length early and gets the ball at hip height. He swivels and dispatches it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

1.2: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, A flash and a miss! On a hard length again and outside off. Seifert sees the width on offer and throws his hands at the ball but the keeps climbing and goes over the flailing blade.

1.1: Kagiso Rabada to Tim Seifert, Ouch, Seifert cops a painful blow. Rabada bashes the hard length, on middle. Seifert gets on his toes and ends up getting himself into a tangle as he looks to fend it down. Tim is beaten and wears it on the midriff.

Positive start for the Titans and Siraj. Kagiso Rabada to steam in from the opposite end.

0.6: Mohammed Siraj to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, FOUR! Raghuvanshi is away! A little bit short and outside off. Angkrish lets the ball come to him and frees his arms to cut it hard on the bounce to backward point. Rahul Tewatia leaps and gets a hand on it, but it is not enough as the ball still races behind for a four.

0.5: Mohammed Siraj to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Moving away, on a good length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi makes a watchful leave.

The intent was shown, but the execution was missing from the skipper. Another match, another early wicket lost for KKR. Perfect start for GT. In walks Angkrish Raghuvanshi at number 3.

0.4: Mohammed Siraj to Ajinkya Rahane, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND TAKEN! Siraj lands the first blow. Just before this ball, Simon Katich was praising Tim Seifert for the way he played the first few balls with the swing and very unlike Finn Allen, who has been dismissed while going across the line. Ajinkya Rahane goes the Allen way and pays the price. This is full, outside off. A bit of away movement. Rahane gets his hands out in front and swings hard at it. Cuts across the ball and slices it in the air towards mid on, where Kagiso Rabada settles under it and does the rest. A golden duck for the KKR captain.

0.3: Mohammed Siraj to Tim Seifert, Pitched up by Siraj, a hint of away shape, on off. Seifert gets on the front foot and knocks it to the left of the man at mid off for a single.

0.2: Mohammed Siraj to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Seifert and KKR are up and running! Fractionally wide, enough for Seifert to cash in. This is on a good length and Tim extends his hands before driving it on the up between cover and mid off for the first boundary of the game.

0.1: Mohammed Siraj to Tim Seifert, Just a hint of away movement. At 134.2 kph, on a good length, around the off stump. Seifert covers the line and taps it to cover.

In all readiness to get going in Ahmedabad. The two umpires walk in, followed by the two KKR openers. Ajinkya Rahane and Tim Seifert walk to the crease. So, no Narine, who was tried and tested for the opener role against the Super Kings. The players of the Gujarat Titans scatter out of the team huddle and take their spots on the field now. It will be Mohammed Siraj to open the bowling attack for the Titans. So Siraj vs Seifert first up, with a slip in place. The countdown is done. Time to play...

Impact sub options for KKR - Manish Pandey, Finn Allen, Tejasvi Singh, Navdeep Saini and Varun Chakaravarthy.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Ajinkya Rahane (C), Tim Seifert (WK) (In for Finn Allen), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora and Kartik Tyagi.

Impact sub options for GT - Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Manav Suthar, Kulwant Khejroliya and Anuj Rawat.

Gujarat Titans (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (WK), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ashok Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

We want to keep things simple - The skipper of the Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill says they were anyway looking to bowl first, with the reason being that the weather is getting hotter and there could be dew around. He believes rising temperatures could bring dew into play as the tournament progresses. Reflecting on that game against the Rajasthan Royals, Gill feels that but for the batting collapse, they should have won comfortably. Shubman emphasises that it is all about doing the simple things consistently as a group, adding that the more you try to complicate things, the harder it becomes. Informs that they are unchanged for this game.

T20 is all about momentum - The captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane says the reason to bat first is that they just want to give their batters the freedom to go out and express themselves, admitting that it hasn't been a great tournament for them so far. Stresses that they don't want to depend too much on data favouring batting-first teams at this venue. Says T20 is a format which is all about momentum, and adds that you will be praised when you do well, otherwise, there will be criticisms. Informs that they are going with one change, with Tim Seifert coming in for Finn Allen.