IPL 2026 | Match 25: GT vs KKR | Preview and Prediction

Gujarat Titans set their sights on winning three on the bounce as they take on an aimlessly meandering and still winless Kolkata Knight Riders in Match Number 25 of the 2026 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 Gujarat 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 is the storming return to form by Jos Buttler. The English stalwart has finally found his mojo and is once again looking like the batsmen 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 that 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 the Titans given that Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill are still working their way to peak scoring form. With the top 3 being responsible for the bulk of the run-scoring for the Titans, it is imperative for both the Indian openers to get back among the runs as quickly as possible.

The 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 he is accurate in his lines and lengths. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj are equally disciplined and amongst the wickets, while Rashid Khan seems to have once again found his magic back after what was a rather underwhelming last year. Things are beginning to look better for GT and they would like to take advantage of the good run of form that they are in.

The same cannot be said for the Kolkata 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 by sending Sunil Narine to open alongside Finn Allen, but that failed to pay any dividends. But sending Narine up to open means that Rahane walks in to bat at a time that is not totally suited to his ability, despite him making huge strides in his T20 game off 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 5 innings is a stark reflection of that instability.

KKR have not helped themselves with decisions in the field as well, with the call at the tosses that Rahane has won inviting a certain amount of scrutiny. While the toss is something that not many put a lot of emphasis on, the situation for KKR is such that all this is being put under the microscope.

On the face of it, this looks like a fairly easy game to call. Gujarat have the momentum and the form, while slowly gaining the team balance that they crave for too. KKR are struggling with form, fluency, and fitness, and look 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 the major favourites to win this match and add another two points into their kitty.

Fantasy XI: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Butler ( c ) (wk), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Rovman Powell, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Venue: Narendra Modi International Stadium, Ahmedabad
Winners Prediction: Gujarat Titans.