IPL 2026 | Match 25: GT vs KKR | Preview and Prediction
The Gujarat Titans (GT) set their sights on winning three on the bounce as they take on the aimlessly meandering and still winless Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 25 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Here, we present our preview and predictions for the game.
Indian Premier League 2026 | Match 25: Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders | 19:30, 17 April 2026
The Titans have slowly found form and momentum, and that has reflected in their performance and the manner of their last two victories.
The biggest takeaway in these two games has been Jos Buttler’s storming return to form. The English stalwart has finally found his mojo and is once again looking like the batter who has mortified bowling attacks wherever and whenever he has played. It started with a brisk 14-ball 26 in the close loss against the Rajasthan Royals. That innings turned out to be the launchpad for his recent form, as he followed it with consecutive half-centuries against the Delhi Capitals and the Lucknow Super Giants.
Buttler’s return to form comes at the most opportune moment for GT, given that Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill are still working their way to peak scoring form. With the top three being responsible for the bulk of the run-scoring, it is imperative for the Titans that their Indian openers get back among the runs as quickly as possible.
GT’s bowling has been impressive and disciplined. Ashok Sharma has been the find of the tournament with his impressive ability to clock speeds in excess of 150 kmph while also ensuring accuracy with line and length. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj have been equally disciplined and among the wickets, while Rashid Khan seems to have once again found his magic after what was a rather underwhelming last year.
All in all, things are beginning to look better for GT, and they will want to take advantage of the good run of form that they are in right now.
The same cannot be said for the Knight Riders, who are falling to new lows this season with every passing game. Their loss to the Chennai Super Kings has once again posed them more questions than answers.
KKR tried a different approach last time out by sending Sunil Narine to open alongside Finn Allen, but that too failed to pay any dividends. Sending Narine to open allows Rahane to walk in to bat at a time that is not totally suited to his ability, despite him making huge strides in his T20 game of late.
Cameron Green has been a shadow of the player that had a memorable debut IPL season for the Mumbai Indians a couple of years ago. However, he has also been a victim of constant chopping and changing, having not batted in the same position for two games, and his run tally of 56 in five innings is a stark reflection of that instability.
KKR have not helped themselves with decisions in the field as well, with the calls at the tosses that Rahane has won inviting a heavy amount of scrutiny. While the toss is something that not many put a lot of emphasis on, the situation for KKR is such that everything is being put under the microscope.
On the face of it, this looks like a fairly easy game to call. GT have the momentum and the form, while slowly gaining the team balance they have been craving. KKR, on the other hand, are struggling with form, fluency, and fitness, looking like a team going through a very dark phase with no light at the end of the tunnel.
We believe that the Gujarat Titans are heavy favourites to win this match and add another two points to their kitty.
Fantasy XI: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Rovman Powell, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Winners Prediction: Gujarat Titans
