IPL 2025 Match
IPL 2025 Match Blog Post: Who is the Best Player in KKR vs GT Clash at Eden Gardens?
The magnificent Eden Gardens in Kolkata hosted the 39th Indian Premier League 2025 match. With its boisterous audience & legendary cricketing experiences, this stadium was the ideal setting for the highly anticipated match between the Gujarat Titans (GT) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Prior to this match, KKR, who were having issues in this year’s competition, had only won three of their seven matches. However, the Gujarat Titans were holding a commanding lead in the standings. KKR supporters had hope despite the odds favored GT because of the home field advantage or the batting-friendly pitch at Eden Garden.
Eden Gardens: A Batting Paradise
Many people consider Eden Gardens to be among the best batting grounds in the Indian Premier League. The following brief statistics provide a sense of the character of the ground:
| Stats | Details |
| Matches Played | 96 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 40 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 56 |
| Matches With No Result | 0 |
| Matches Tied | 0 |
| Average First Innings Score | 165 |
| Highest Team Total | 262 |
| Highest Total Successfully Chased | 262 |
The statistics unequivocally show that huge scores are typical here and that chasing teams frequently have the advantage. Batsmen get the most out of their shots because of the fast outfield and level surface.
Match Preview: KKR vs GT, Match 39
In this crucial match, the pressure was on KKR to turn their campaign around. GT, meanwhile, looked to maintain their dominance.
Teams at a Glance:
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy
- Gujarat Titans (GT): Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler, David Miller, Mohammed Siraj, Rashid Khan
Key Player Battles
Ajinkya Rahane vs Mohammed Siraj
Ajinkya Rahane, the KKR skipper, has had a mixed run in IPL 2025. In this match, he faced a tough challenge from GT pacer Mohammed Siraj. Here’s a breakdown of their head-to-head:
- Rahane vs Siraj: 12 runs in 24 balls, 1 dismissal
This duel was crucial in the early overs. While Rahane tried to anchor the innings, Siraj focused on containing runs and looking for that early breakthrough.
Shubman Gill vs Harshit Rana
Shubman Gill, the captain of GT, has been in stellar form this season. Facing off against Harshit Rana during the powerplay was a battle of youth and skill:
- Gill vs Rana: 19 runs in 10 balls, 0 dismissals
Gill looked in complete control and punished any loose delivery, setting the pace for GT’s innings.
Match Summary
First Innings: KKR Batting
KKR started cautiously, with Rahane and Phil Salt at the crease. Rahane played a responsible knock, scoring 62 off 45 balls. Rinku Singh added quick runs in the middle overs with a 35-run cameo off 22 balls.
- Total: 178/6 in 20 overs
- Top Performers:
- Ajinkya Rahane: 62 (45)
- Rinku Singh: 35 (22)
- Andre Russell: 28 (15)
- Ajinkya Rahane: 62 (45)
GT bowlers did a fine job of restricting KKR towards the end. Mohammed Siraj picked up 2 wickets for just 28 runs in his 4 overs. “no follow”
Second Innings: GT Batting
Shubman Gill led the charge for Gujarat Titans. He played a mature and composed knock, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls. Jos Buttler provided the initial boost, scoring 40 off 25 balls.
- Chased down: 179/4 in 18.4 overs
- Top Performers:
- Shubman Gill: 87* (52)
- Jos Buttler: 40 (25)
- David Miller: 20 (10)
- Shubman Gill: 87* (52)
GT comfortably chased down the target with 8 balls to spare.
Who Was the Best Player?
While several players performed well, one name stood out above the rest – Shubman Gill.
Why Shubman Gill Was the Best:
- Unbeaten Knock: 87* off 52 balls, anchored the entire chase
- Controlled Aggression: Balanced risk and strike rotation perfectly
- Leadership: Kept his team calm under pressure
- Match Winner: Took his team over the line with ease
Post-Match Reactions
- Ajinkya Rahane (KKR Captain): “We were 15-20 runs short. Our bowlers tried hard, but Shubman batted exceptionally well.”
- Shubman Gill (GT Captain and Player of the Match): “It felt good to finish the game. The pitch was good for batting and I just focused on timing and placement.”
- Mohammed Siraj (GT Bowler): “Happy with my performance. The ball was swinging initially, and I tried to make the most of it.”
Overall Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Best Bowler |
| KKR | 178/6 | 20 | Ajinkya Rahane (62) | Mohammed Siraj (2/28) |
| GT | 179/4 | 18.4 | Shubman Gill (87*) | Rashid Khan (1/33) |
Final Verdict
- Winner: Gujarat Titans
- Best Player of the Match: Shubman Gill
- Turning Point: Gill and Buttler’s opening partnership
What This Means for the Points Table
- GT: Strengthened their top spot with this win
- KKR: Need to win most of their remaining matches to stay in playoff contention
Conclusion
Match 39 of IPL 2025 at Eden Gardens was a thrilling contest, especially for fans of batting. While KKR showed moments of brilliance, Gujarat Titans proved why they are topping the table. Shubman Gill, with his calm, class, and consistency, was undoubtedly the best player of the match.
As the IPL progresses, eyes will remain on GT’s dominance and whether KKR can bounce back. But for now, Eden Gardens witnessed a masterclass from one of India’s brightest stars – Shubman Gill.
