IPL 2025, KKR vs GT: What was the Turning Point as Knight Riders suffer consecutive Defeats?

Add as a preferred source on Google

In Match 39 of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens, Gujarat Titans (GT) delivered a clinical performance to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 39 runs, consolidating their position at the top of the table.

Opting to bat first, GT's innings was anchored by captain Shubman Gill, who scored a commanding 90 off 55 balls, forming a formidable opening stand with Sai Sudharsan. Jos Buttler's late cameo propelled GT to a competitive total of 198/3.​

KKR's chase began on a shaky note, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early. Despite a resilient 50 from skipper Ajinkya Rahane, the middle order failed to capitalize. The partnership between Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer, which yielded only 41 runs in 36 deliveries, proved detrimental. Particularly, Iyer's sluggish 14 off 19 balls, devoid of boundaries, stalled the momentum, causing the required run rate to escalate. His inability to rotate strike or find gaps was glaring, especially given his status as one of KKR's marquee signings. The innings concluded at 159/8, falling short of the target.​

What was the Turning Point?

The turning point of the match was the protracted partnership between Rahane and Iyer. In a high-stakes chase, their inability to accelerate during the middle overs allowed GT's bowlers to tighten the noose. Iyer's performance, in particular, drew criticism from fans and pundits alike, highlighting the need for introspection within the KKR camp.

The KKR player, who was bought for Rs 23.75 crore, failed miserably again. He scored 14 runs off 19 deliveries and completely shunned the momentum. The partnership was abysmal as it only added 41 runs off 36 balls. KKR never recovered from it and ended up with a dismal defeat yet again.