Kolkata Knight Riders beat Gujarat Titans by 29 runs in Match 60 of the Indian Premier League, with Sunil Narine producing the decisive spell and Finn Allen blazing 93 off 35 balls in a high-scoring contest. KKR’s 247/2 always gave them a cushion, and Narine’s 2/29 ensured GT’s powerful reply of 218/4 fell short despite half-centuries from Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan.

The result extends KKR’s strong late-season push in the league stage and hands Gujarat Titans a setback after their recent run of wins. With this the 60th match of 70 in the league phase, the tournament now moves into its final stretch, with Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals next up on Sunday, May 17.

KKR’s innings was built on sustained aggression rather than a single burst. Ajinkya Rahane made 14 off 14 before the scoring rate exploded through Finn Allen, who tore into the attack with 10 sixes and four fours at a strike rate of 265.7. Allen’s 93 off 35 set the platform for one of KKR’s biggest totals of the season, and once he had broken the game open, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green made sure Gujarat never got a way back.

Raghuvanshi continued his impressive tournament with 82 off 44, striking seven sixes and four fours, while Green added an unbeaten 52 off 28 with three fours and four sixes. KKR finished on 247/2 from 20 overs, a total achieved despite Gujarat bringing into the match two of the competition’s most productive wicket-takers. Rashid Khan went for 0/57 in four overs, Kagiso Rabada conceded 0/40, and Mohammed Siraj’s 1/50 could not stem the flow. Sai Kishore was the only other wicket-taker, returning 1/38 from three overs.

Chasing 248, Gujarat Titans responded exactly as a side with elite top-order form would. Sai Sudharsan struck 53 off 28 and Shubman Gill made a superb 85 off 49, peppering the boundary with five fours and seven sixes. Their tempo kept the asking rate within touching distance, and when Jos Buttler joined in with 57 off 35, GT were still threatening to turn the chase into something extraordinary.

The turning point came through control in the middle overs. Sunil Narine, named Player of the Match, returned 2/29 from his four overs and removed two key batters, giving KKR the one spell in the innings that truly separated the sides. Cameron Green supported with 1/25 from three overs, while Saurabh Dubey picked up 1/23 in 2.4 overs. KKR did leak boundaries elsewhere, with Kartik Tyagi going for 0/59 and Varun Chakravarthy 0/47, but Narine’s economy of 7.25 in a chase of 248 was the standout bowling contribution of the match.

That was ultimately the difference. Gujarat finished on 218/4, an imposing score in most T20 matches, but still 29 runs short because KKR’s top three phases with the bat had already created too much damage. Gill’s 85 was the highest score of the chase, Buttler’s fifty sustained the belief, and Sudharsan once again underlined why he has been one of GT’s most reliable batters this season. But with only four wickets falling, KKR’s victory was really about making Gujarat chase a near-perfect game and then denying them one calm over too many.

Key performers

  • Finn Allen (KKR): 93 off 35 balls, with 4 fours and 10 sixes
  • Angkrish Raghuvanshi (KKR): 82 off 44 balls, with 4 fours and 7 sixes
  • Cameron Green (KKR): 52 off 28 balls and 1/25 in 3 overs
  • Shubman Gill (GT): 85 off 49 balls, with 5 fours and 7 sixes
  • Jos Buttler (GT): 57 off 35 balls
  • Sai Sudharsan (GT): 53 off 28 balls
  • Sunil Narine (KKR): 2/29 in 4 overs

NerdSports Stat: Gujarat Titans made 218/4 and still lost by 29 runs — a score of 218 would win the vast majority of IPL matches, but KKR’s top three batters alone combined for 227 runs, outscoring the entire GT side’s total minus extras.

In the wider IPL context, this was another reminder of how volatile the table can become in the closing league matches. KKR had already picked up momentum with wins in Match 51 and Match 45, while GT had arrived on the back of victories in Matches 52 and 56. Match 60 therefore carried real weight, and KKR’s win not only keeps their charge alive but also dents a direct rival in the race through the final 10 league fixtures.

There is little pause in the schedule. The league continues on Sunday, May 17, with Punjab Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru, followed by Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals. KKR’s next assignment is against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday, May 20, while Gujarat Titans next face Chennai Super Kings on Thursday, May 21.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans?

Kolkata Knight Riders won the match by 29 runs.

Who was the Player of the Match?

Sunil Narine was named Player of the Match for his 2/29 in 4 overs in a chase of 248.

What is the series standing after this match?

This was Match 60 of 70 in the Indian Premier League league stage, and KKR’s win extends their push in the closing stretch while Gujarat Titans absorb a significant defeat before the remaining fixtures.

Who was the top scorer in this match?

Finn Allen top-scored with 93 off 35 balls.

When is the next match in the series?

The next match in the series is Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday, May 17.