Seasoned commentator Harsha Bhogle has put to rest swirling rumors surrounding his absence from the commentary box during the IPL 2025 match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at Eden Gardens. Rumors arose after reports indicated that Bhogle, as well as former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull, had been allegedly blacklisted by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) following their critical comments about the Kolkata pitch.

But Bhogle resorted to microblogging site X (previously Twitter) to set the record straight. He said there were "inappropriate conclusions" being made about his absence and clarified that he was only set to commentate on two Kolkata games this season. While he did the first one, personal reasons prevented him from attending the second.

There are some misplaced conclusions being drawn regarding the reasons why I was not present for yesterday's Kolkata game. Simply put, it wasn't on my list of games that I was agreeing to do! A simple question would have answered the problem. Rosters are completed prior to the tournament beginning. I was rostered for two games in Kolkata. I covered the first, and an unexpected illness within the family kept me away from the 2nd," Bhogle posted.

Harsha Bhogle clears air on his absence from #KKRvsGT match at Eden Gardens!#IPL2025 #EdenGardens #HarshaBhogle #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/4MPYP3VpNh

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) April 22, 2025

Also read: SRH vs MI : Match 41 Weather and Pitch report IPL 2025

Clarification Amid Controversy: Bhogle Addresses Pitch Criticism Fallout

His explanation follows reports that the CAB had asked the BCCI to steer clear of giving Bhogle and Doull KKR's home games, allegedly following their public criticism of the Eden Gardens pitch, prepared by Sujan Mukherjee. On Cricbuzz, both commentators had questioned the surface in question, contending that it was not conducive to KKR's spin-oriented lineup. Doull even went so far as to recommend that the franchise think about shifting home games if the pitch conditions did not provide a strategic advantage.

KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane and coach Chandrakant Pandit have also complained about the Eden Gardens surface this season, specifically its failure to provide spin support.

The home woes of the defending champions continued with a 39-run loss against GT, where they found themselves at number seven on the points table with a mere three victories. KKR will seek a turnaround when they play Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 26 at Eden Gardens.

In Match 39 of the IPL 2025 Season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lost by 39 runs to the Gujarat Titans (GT) at Eden Gardens on April 21, 2025. GT scored 198/3, while KKR only managed 159/8. Here are the key reasons for KKR’s defeat:

KKR's bowlers did not adjust to the pitch of Eden Gardens and could not contain GT's top order. Shubman Gill scored 90 runs off 55 balls, and they put on a 114-run opening stand with Sai Sudharsan's 52 off 36 balls. Jos Buttler ended the innings not out on 41 runs off 23 balls without a lot of early runs, and many errors, like a dropped catch for Vaibhav Arora, stood out. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy had little to no impact during the middle overs of the innings. Poor bowling changes and poor field placements allowed the batting to dominate and set a big total to chase down. KKR failed to bowl to their true potential.

KKR simply had no firepower to chase down GT's total. Ajinkya Rahane's score of 50 on 36 balls was steady but so slow that KKR's middle order of Venkatesh Iyer (14 off 19 balls) and Rinku Singh (17 off 12 balls) both buckled under the pressures of needing runs without scoring runs and were starved of boundaries for 36 balls. Andre Russell's fall to bowler Rashid Khan (2-25) was a clear indicator of KKR relying on inconsistent stars and outdated aggressive tactics.

KKR's tactical situation seemed very rusted. KKR's bowling had no answer to GT's aggression. Nothing seemed as if it could stop GT's pace throughout the match. When KKR appears to compete in matches again, they must sort out inconsistencies in their bowling, get comfortable with adaptive tactics, and revive the threat to their adversaries.

GT built a strong batting foundation from the top order with a commanding 114-run opening partnership led by Shubman Gill's 90 off 55 balls and Sai Sudharsan's 52 off 36 balls. Jos Buttler's rapid-fire unbeaten 41 off 23 balls helped GT to finish with a strong score of 198/3. KKR's bowlers were unable to break the quest for runs from the top of the GT batting order, and while Andre Russell was strong with his return of 1-13 overall, the inability to take wickets hurt KKR's chances to challenge GT. KKR's poor fielding, specifically Vaibhav Arora dropping Buttler's catch, led to GT continuing to build momentum. 

KKR's chase began poorly and endorsed the previous trend of losing the first wicket during the 1st over of their innings with the dismissal of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Although Ajinkya Rahane scored 50 runs from 36 balls, the middle order was unable to put together aggressive partnerships to accelerate the chase featuring Venkatesh Iyer (14 runs from 19 balls) and Rinku Singh (17 runs from 12). The inability to score a boundary for 36 balls limited the scoring, and KKR could not afford to lose too many wickets and lost Andre Russell to Rashid Khan in the 15th over.  KKR continued to struggle over the course of the season, indicating the entire batting unit has not performed well individually or collectively as a strong unit.

3. Fielding and Game Management

Ajinkya Rahane cited poor fielding as a major reason for KKR's loss to GT, even admitting that they could have saved 15–20 runs with better work. It is a high-scoring game where runs become gold; sometimes it's just a dropped catch or a misfield, but with KKR every little error like a dropped catch plus a misfield adds up. This is how you can let a team get close to 200, whereas GT fielded exceptionally well and were far more disciplined and energetic as fielders, thus controlling the match much better than KKR. Rahane commented that KKR needed greater game awareness and sharper fielding.

The IPL 2025 season continues to deliver thrilling action as teams fiercely compete for top positions. Match 38 of the IPL 2025 season was played at the Eden Gardens between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 21. The GT defeated KKR by 39 runs in a comprehensive performance that consolidated their standing in the points table through their clinical all-around display.

Gujarat Titans Innings

The Gujarat Titans put up a dominant batting performance after being put in to bat first. The skipper, Shubman Gill, drove the GT batting effort forward by smashing 90 runs from his 55 deliveries to advance the team score while maintaining consistent run-scoring. Sai Sudharsan partnered Gill by facing 36 balls, during which he scored his half-century before the innings ended at 198/3 in twenty overs. Jos Buttler provided the finishing blow to the GT innings by striking 41 runs without loss while facing 23 deliveries, thus enabling GT to post a total of 198/3 in 20 overs.

Russell's tight spell of 1/13 over 1 bowled by KKR earned him recognition among the team's bowlers following his 1-over performance. He received support from Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana, who claimed one wicket, but each resulted in a huge number of conceded runs at 44 and 45 during their 4-over stint.

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings

Chasing a stiff target of 199, the Knight Riders fell short, managing only 159/8 in their 20 overs. In the KKR batting lineup, Ajinkya Rahane made 50 runs from 36 deliveries to lead the team, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi finished with an attacking 27 from 13 balls. During KKR's innings, Andre Russell hit 21 runs off 15 balls, yet he did not develop this score into a decisive triumph.

The Titans limited the opposition with consistent bowling performance throughout the game. The match belonged to Prasidh Krishna and Rashid Khan, as both claimed 2 wickets against 25 runs in their 4-over allocations. Ishant Sharma maintained his economy rate through two overs, which restricted KKR to 1/18, thus preventing them from getting anywhere close to the target.

Also Read: Top 3 Reasons why Kolkata Knight Riders Lost to Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 Match 39

KKR vs GT: Post Match Reactions

Shubman Gill (Captain and Player of the Match, GT): Gill was happy to have back-to-back wins for a team. He thought it was important for one of the top 3 batters to play to the end, and they needed to focus on adjusting to the pitch. Gill said he was happy to get the win, but there were some emotional moments, as finishing games can be tough even when ahead. He said they could have done some things a bit better, as they missed out on 10 extra runs and had some unforced ones again, but he thought the strength of their team was that they always found ways to win even when not playing as well as they could. 

R Sai Kishore (GT): Sai Kishore said the pitch was helpful for bowlers throughout the game and even more so in the second innings. He said it is always important to adjust angles and speed when bowling to a dangerous batter like Andre Russell. He said it was good to have Rashid Khan on their side and called him one of the best T20 bowlers. As a team, they have every bit of belief in Rashid. Fielding was a big positive for GT, and they are continually focused on processes and playing good cricket. 

Ajinkya Rahane (Captain, KKR): Rahane thought the target of 199 was achievable and commended the bowlers for keeping his team in the game. Although he did say the top orders need to make stronger starts. Rahane stressed the value of fielding and intention on the field. Rahane asked his batters to show courage and play attacking cricket while fully backing his middle-order players. Rahane went on to praise Angkrish Raghuvanshi's performance and discussed pushing players to maintain the run rate.

Also Read: IPL 2025: LSG vs DC Match 40 - Ekana Cricket stadium stats and preview

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans: Match Scorecard

Gujarat Titans – 198/3 (20 Overs)

Knight Riders – 159/8 (20 Overs)

The IPL 2025 season continues to deliver thrilling action as teams fiercely compete for top positions. Match 38 of the IPL 2025 season was played at the Eden Gardens between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 21. 

Gujarat Titans won against Kolkata Knight Riders by 39 runs in Match 39 of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens. Riding on a strong 114-run partnership for the first wicket between Shubman Gill (90) and Sai Sudharsan (52), GT scored 198/3, with Jos Buttler's late 41*. Though KKR's spinners were not successful, their chase went wrong after early wickets and the middle-order collapse. Ajinkya Rahane made a battling fifty, but GT bowlers, with Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna (2 wickets each) at the helm, wrapped up the game. KKR were limited to 159/9, and Gujarat topped the points table again with another clinical show.

Latest IPL 2025 Points Table:

As of April 21, 2025, following the match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the updated IPL 2025 points table is as follows:

Also read: [WATCH] :Yuvraj Singh admits he gets nervous watching Gill and Abhishek bat

Orange & Purple Cap in IPL 2025

Orange Cap (Most Runs):

• B Sai Sudharsan - 417 Runs
• Nicholas Pooran  - 368 Runs
• Jos Buttler - 356 Runs

Purple Cap (Most Wickets):

• Prasidh Krishna - 16 Wickets
• Kuldeep Yadav - 12 Wickets
• Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore - 12 wickets

In a shocking development, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) requested BCCI in a written format to restrict Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull from their commentary duties in the Eden Gardens. 

According to a recently published media report, CAB, in a letter, requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India to ban Bhogle and Doull from their commentary jobs in the iconic stadium for any matches regarding the Eden Gardens pitch controversy row. CAB has taken this step ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) upcoming home game against Gujarat Titans (GT), which is scheduled to happen today (April 21) at 7:30 PM. 

Kolkata Knight Riders contains multiple world-class spinners like Sunil Narine, but Varun Chakravarthy has struggled to gain momentum in their home ground, which is Eden Gardens. KKR so far has experienced a rollercoaster ride in the ongoing IPL 2025. Out of 7 games, they emerged victorious only on 3 occasions, and in the other 4 matches, they were outclassed, which resulted in the team finding their spot in the 7th spot of the points table. In the last 5 matches, Knight Riders got 3 wins and 2 losses.

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The Eden Gardens pitch controversy ignited when the Purple Brigade complained about it openly following their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their opening match of the season.

CAB, in return, stated lines from rulebook 

The two commentators, Bhogle and Doull, criticized Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee. Doull, taking one step further, said KKR should consider moving out of Eden Gardens amid the pitch row. 

But the Cricket Association of Bengal has its own logic. According to CAB, Mukherjee, the pitch curator, did exactly according to the rule book; no franchise has the right to say anything about the nature of the surface.

KKR vs GT Match Preview

The 39th match of the Indian Premier League 2025 will be played on April 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM at Eden Gardens in Kolkata between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Gujarat Titans. The ten-team tournament has reached the middle of the league stages, with the Gujarat Titans, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings taking the top four spots in that order. The Gujarat Titans took first place after defeating the Delhi Capitals in a high-scoring game. Gujarat Titans are currently leading the table with 5 wins in 7 games and an average NRR of +0.984. 

KKR vs GT Match Details 

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans – 39th Match, IPL 2025

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Date & Time: 21th April 2025 at 07:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

KKR vs GT Venue Stats

KKR vs GT Pitch Report

The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata is well-known for being a wicket that is conducive to batting. The new ball should be offered with good bounce and carry. The spinners might benefit from the dryness.

KKR vs GT Weather Report

The temperature will be extremely hot and humid. With some showers expected in Kolkata, the season opener is in danger of rain.  

KKR vs GT Last Five Matches

KKR vs GT Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: IPL 2025: MI vs CSK Dream11 Prediction 38th Match

KKR vs GT Probable Playing XIs:

Kolkata Knight Riders Probable Playing XIs

Gujarat Titans Probable Playing XIs

Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Ishant Sharma (Impact Player)

Topmost Picks for KKR vs GT Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Kolkata Knight Riders

• Angkrish Raghuvanshi – Raghuvanshi may be new, but he's showing good temperament and appears to be someone who can continue to contribute solid runs.
• Sunil Narine –  Sunil Narine added depth with seven wickets and an impressive economy rate of 7.33.

Top Picks – Gujarat Titans

• Jos Buttler – Jos Buttler has provided explosive starts, including an unbeaten 97 off 54 balls against the Delhi Capitals. 
• Mohammed Siraj –  Mohammed Siraj has taken 14 wickets in his last nine IPL bowling innings.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for KKR vs GT Dream11 Team:

Jos Buttler, Quinton de Kock, Ajinkya Rahane, Sai Sudharsan, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shubman Gill(VC), Sunil Narine(C), Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for KKR vs GT Dream11 Team:

Jos Buttler(C), Quinton de Kock, Ajinkya Rahane(VC), Sai Sudharsan, Andre Russell, Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine

Vice-captain – Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane

Wicketkeeper – Jos Buttler

KKR vs GT Probable Winners:

This is a game between the Gujarat Titans, who dethroned the Reddy Capitals to take the lead in the points table after seven games, and the KK,R, who have only three wins in seven games in IPL 2025. GT is hunting as a unit, whereas KKR has been completely inconsistent. We believe the Gujarat Titans have a great chance to score two more points against KKR. Considering the team combination, Gujarat Titans is expected to win this match.

The IPL 2025 continues to heat up with Match 39 on April 21, 2025, as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) takes on Gujarat Titans (GT) at the beautiful Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This evening's match, starting at 7:30 PM IST, will feature Ajinkya Rahane's KKR against Shubman Gill's GT in an exciting encounter between two top teams. 

Eden Gardens IPL Stats and Records

• Total Matches: 96
• Batting 1st Won: 40
• Batting 2nd Won: 56
• Highest Total: 262/2 by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024
• Lowest Total: 49 all out by Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017
• Highest Run-chase: 262/2 in 18.4 overs by Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024
• Lowest Total Defended: 131 All Out by Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2017
• Average 1st Innings Score: 166
• Average 2nd Innings Score: 153

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs GT Match 39 - A Head to Head breakdown

KKR vs GT: Weather and Pitch Report

The weather in Kolkata will be perfect for cricket, with temperatures ranging from 28 to 34 degrees Celsius and a low probability of rain. The only test could be the humidity, which may test the players' stamina, as humidity is expected to be high. Overall, indications are that the match will go ahead as planned. The pitch at Eden Gardens is generally very hospitable to the batsmen, providing consistent bounce and pace which allows for aggressive stroke-play. The pitch may turn a touch for included spinners in the middle overs, but the fast bowlers may enjoy some swing early on under lights. Both teams would be aiming for a par score of 180-200 to set up a high-scoring thriller.

KKR vs GT: Match preview

With Ajinkya Rahane as their captain, Kolkata Knight Riders will try to exploit their home advantage at Eden Gardens. KKR's batting line-up consists of a mix of explosiveness coupled with steadiness. KKR has their top order open with Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine. Then the middle order will feature Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Andre Russell. KKR have Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, and Varun Chakaravarthy as their best bowling attack. Chetan Sakariya is also part of KKR's pace unit, so they have plenty of depth there too. KKR have also just beaten Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets, so they are in some good form. 

Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, are also heading into this match with momentum after winning three successive matches earlier in the season. GT's batting appears strong at the moment with Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, and Shubman Gill, and then Sherfane Rutherford and his 180+ strike rate finish off with firepower. It has a really good bowling unit headed by Mohammed Siraj, Rashid Khan, and the spin control of Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore. With GT's bowling, which has been inconsistent at times, their ability to set massive totals is shown when GT recently won by 58 runs against Rajasthan Royals. 

This long-awaited battle should be a sight to behold, as both teams have relatively balanced squads. The middle overs will be important to see if spinners like Chakaravarthy and Rashid can change the outcome in their favor while bowlers like Arora and Siraj take the new ball and try and create early inroads. It will be a hotly contested match between KKR and GT as they both try and lay claim to being the best team in this IPL 2025 contest.

The 39th IPL 2025 match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is on April 23, 2025, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Below is a detailed analysis of the head-to-head record and highlight matches between GT and KKR, bringing to light their competitive rivalry.

Head-to-Head Record

Since GT entered the IPL in 2022, KKR and GT have played against each other 4 times.

• GT Wins: 2
• KKR Wins: 1
• No Result: 1

GT has an upper hand in this rivalry, winning three out of four meetings. The matches between these two sides have usually been high-scoring thrillers, with big-hitting batting and tight bowling dictating the course of proceedings. The Eden Gardens, famous for its batsman-friendly pitch and charged environment, is all set to witness yet another thrilling encounter.

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs GT Match 39 - Eden Gardens stadium stats and preview

Notable Matches in KKR vs GT History

Despite the brief history, the KKR-GT clash has witnessed some moments that are etched in memory, defined by individual genius and dramatic outcomes. Following are the highlight battles of their IPL encounters thus far:

IPL 2022, Match 35 (April 23, 2022) – Navi Mumbai

• GT Score: 156/9 (20 overs)
• KKR Score: 148/8 (20 overs)
• Result: GT won by 8 runs

GT posted 156/9, with Hardik Pandya scoring 67. KKR’s chase fell short despite Andre Russell’s 48, as Rashid Khan’s 2/22, including key wickets, sealed the game for GT. Mohammed Shami’s tight bowling (2/20) supported the effort, and Pandya was named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.

IPL 2023, Match 13 (April 9, 2023) – Ahmedabad

• KKR Score: 204/7 (20 overs)
• GT Score: 207/7 (20 overs)
• Result: GT won by 3 wickets

KKR posted a tough 204/7, led by Venkatesh Iyer's 83 and Nitish Rana's 45. GT's run chase was spearheaded by Vijay Shankar's 63 and sustained by Rashid Khan's big-hitting 17* off 3 balls, including three sixes in the last over. Khan's spectacular display won him the Player of the Match award, a fitting end to a dramatic GT resurgence.

IPL 2023, Match 39 (April 29, 2023) – Kolkata

• GT Score: 179/7 (20 overs)
• KKR Score: 180/3 (17.5 overs)
• Result: KKR won by 7 wickets

GT scored 179/7, with Shubman Gill making 49 and Hardik Pandya scoring 26. KKR chased it easily, spearheaded by Gurbaz's 81 and Andre Russell's 34 not out. Josh Little's 2/25 for GT went in vain, and Gurbaz was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.

Also Read: Abhishek Nayar's Inevitable Return to KKR in IPL 2025 after Hostile BCCI Sacking

IPL 2024, Match 63 (May 13, 2024)—Ahmedabad

• KKR Score: 157/3 (16.3 overs)
• GT Score: Game abandoned owing to rain
• Result: No result

KKR were at 157/3, with Shreyas Iyer (58*) and Venkatesh Iyer (43) dominating, when rain halted the play. GT did not bat, and the match was abandoned, with no Player of the Match given.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 21, 2025, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This thrilling contest between two strong teams will be influenced by the weather and pitch conditions, which will play a crucial role in determining the result of the match.

Match Details

• Date: April 21, 2025
• Time: 07:30 PM IST
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Win% % Batting First: 40%
• Win% % Bowling First: 58%

Follow for more: https://www.cricketwinner.com/

Weather Report: 

Kolkata’s weather forecast for match day looks promising with no threat of rain. Clear skies and mild winds are expected, making it ideal for a full game. The temperature will start around 31°C and gradually cool down during the match.

• Temperature: Starting at 31°C and cooling off as the game progresses.
• Winds: Light winds, with no major impact on gameplay.
• Precipitation: No rain forecast, ensuring a continuous match.
• Humidity: Moderate levels of humidity are expected but won't cause any major issues. (64% humidity).

Also read: IPL 2025: Jos Buttler's blazing 97* powers Gujarat Titans to the top

Pitch Report:

Eden Gardens is renowned for its lively pitch, which offers a good balance between bat and ball. The pitch offers decent bounce and carry for the pacers but also gives batsmen the chance to play aggressive shots. It is generally a high-scoring venue, and fans can expect a thrilling contest.

• Batting and Bowling Friendly: While pacers may get some movement early on, the pitch is mostly friendly for aggressive batting.
• Spinners: Spinners may come into play during the latter stages of the match, but overall, it favors batsmen.
• Boundary Dimensions: Eden Gardens has relatively large boundaries, but batsmen can still clear them with the right shots.

Venue Records:

• Highest Team Total: 262/2 by PBKS against Kolkata Knight Riders.
• Lowest Team Total: 49/10 by RCB against Kolkata Knight Riders.
• Average First Innings Score: Around 170 runs.

With favorable weather conditions and a pitch that promises a great contest between bat and ball, the KKR vs LSG match is set to be an exciting one at the Eden Gardens.

Kolkata are still shaking off from the last loss to Punjab and they come in with more to prove. Ajinkya Rahane fell victim to self doubt when he failed to save himself with the help of a review and now they will have some introspection to do. Gujarat though are a lot more comfortable having won against Delhi, chasing 200 comfortably.

KKR vs GT Match Details

Date: April 21st, 2025

Time:  7:30 PM IST

Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

KKR vs GT Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice evening is expected for the game.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans Pitch Report

Average Score Batting First in the five games: 192

Average Score Batting Second in the five games: 188

Wins Batting First in the last Five games: 3

Wins Batting Second in the last Five games: 2

Eden Gardens has slowed down a touch and batting first could work well with the track getting slower.

See Also: Abhishek Nayar gets back with the Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans Head to Head

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans Predicted Playing XI

Gujarat Titans Playing XI 

Sai Sudharshan, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, M Shah Rukh Khan, Arshad Khan, Sai Kishore, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna  

Impact Player: Ishant Sharma

Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI

Quinton De Kock, Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje

Impact Player: Varun Chakravarthy

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans: Players to Watch

Quinton De Kock

Consistency has been a concern for De Kock at the top. He had one good game but then a string of low scores which has put his side in some problems with a proper platform not being given at the top.

Rahul Tewatia

Rahul Tewatia's role with the Titans is rather interesting one. He comes in to play the last two overs, the toughest phase to find consistency in T20 Cricket, and he somehow manages to excel in the role each and every time. He finished well against the Capitals and has full backing in what he does. 

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans Match Tips

Gujarat start favorites with some good momentum going on behind them.

Match Prediction: Gujarat Titans Will Win the Match