Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM (IST)
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Live Streaming: JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar (App & Website)
Match Overview
Match 39 of the IPL 2025 season brings us an exciting face-off between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the iconic Eden Gardens. Both teams are entering this clash with different forms and mindsets, making this a crucial game for their playoff ambitions.
KKR, currently sixth in the points table with 3 wins in 7 matches, are desperate to bounce back after a shocking loss to Punjab Kings where they failed to chase a paltry total of 112. Despite being in a strong position at 62/2, a sudden collapse saw them bundled out for just 95. In contrast, GT come into this match with strong momentum, having chased down a massive target of 204 against Delhi Capitals, courtesy a magnificent unbeaten 97 off 51 balls from Jos Buttler.
Team Overview & Key Players
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Led by the experienced Ajinkya Rahane, KKR’s campaign has been inconsistent. Their batting lineup has struggled under pressure, especially in the middle order. However, their bowling has been a silver lining. Spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, along with pacer Harshit Rana, have delivered impactful performances, especially during the middle overs.
KKR will heavily rely on Quinton de Kock, Venkatesh Iyer, and Rinku Singh to provide stability, while Andre Russell’s firepower and all-round skills can change the game at any point.
Probable Playing XI:
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Quinton de Kock (wk)
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Sunil Narine
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Ajinkya Rahane (c)
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Venkatesh Iyer
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Rinku Singh
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Andre Russell
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Ramandeep Singh
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Harshit Rana
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Vaibhav Arora
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Anrich Nortje
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Varun Chakravarthy
Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Gujarat Titans (GT)
GT are looking like one of the most balanced sides this season. Skipper Shubman Gill has led from the front, and the arrival of Jos Buttler has added immense strength to their top order. Buttler’s stunning form, with 315 runs in 7 matches, makes him the biggest threat. The likes of Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Sherfane Rutherford offer depth and versatility in the batting order.
Their bowling unit, featuring the likes of Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Sai Kishore, has done well to contain teams in pressure situations.
Probable Playing XI:
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Sai Sudharsan
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Shubman Gill (c)
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Jos Buttler (wk)
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Shahrukh Khan
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Rahul Tewatia
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Rashid Khan
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Arshad Khan
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R. Sai Kishore
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Prasidh Krishna
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Mohammed Siraj
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Ishant Sharma
Impact Player: Sherfane Rutherford
Pitch Report – Eden Gardens, Kolkata
The Eden Gardens track is expected to be firm with a touch of grass. Early on, batters can enjoy the even bounce, making stroke-play easier, especially with short square boundaries. However, as the game progresses, the pitch could slow down and assist both spinners and medium pacers. Dew might play a factor in the second innings, possibly helping the chasing team. With the temperature hovering around 36°C and no rain in sight, we can expect a full contest.
Head-to-Head Record
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Total Matches Played: 3
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KKR Wins: 1
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GT Wins: 2
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First-ever Match: April 23, 2022
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Most Recent Match: April 29, 2023
Probable Best Performers
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Best Batter Prediction: Jos Buttler (GT)
With consistent form and a brilliant 97* in the previous game, Buttler is GT’s trump card. His ability to anchor and accelerate makes him a serious threat. -
Best Bowler Prediction: Varun Chakravarthy (KKR)
Varun has been a standout performer for KKR with 10 wickets in 7 matches. The slow Kolkata pitch will likely assist his variations and allow him to trouble GT’s middle order.
Match Prediction & Scenarios
Prediction: Team bowling first has the advantage due to dew and pitch behavior in the second half.
Scenario 1: KKR wins the toss and bowls first
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GT Powerplay Score: 65–75
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GT Total: 210–220
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KKR Chase Successfully – KKR win the match
Scenario 2: GT wins the toss and bats first
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GT Powerplay Score: 55–65
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KKR Total: 200–210
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GT Defend Successfully – GT win the match
Final Word:
With both teams having star-studded line-ups and key match-winners, this clash at Eden Gardens promises fireworks. But with GT carrying stronger form and KKR struggling with their batting, Gujarat Titans start as favourites—unless KKR’s bowling unit can engineer another turnaround.