Ajinkya Rahane Commends Shubman Gill's Stellar Performance in KKR vs GT Clash

In a recent IPL 2026 match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane praised Shubman Gill's remarkable innings that led GT to victory. Gill scored 86 runs, showcasing his skill on a challenging pitch. Rahane reflected on KKR's missed opportunities and highlighted Cameron Green's impressive performance. Despite the loss, he emphasized the positives as KKR seeks their first win of the season. Read on for a detailed recap of the match and player highlights.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 18, 2026, 02:03 IST

Rahane Acknowledges Gill's Impactful Innings

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on April 18, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed admiration for the outstanding performance of Gujarat Titans (GT) openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. He noted their adept handling of the pitch conditions, which were slightly sluggish with some dew present during the match.

Gill's impressive half-century was pivotal in leading GT to a five-wicket triumph over KKR. He scored a remarkable 86 runs off just 50 deliveries at the Narendra Modi Stadium, further solidifying his strong record in Ahmedabad. His innings included eight boundaries and four sixes, effectively steering his team to victory while chasing a target of 181 runs in 19.4 overs.

Sudharsan also contributed significantly with a quick 22 runs, helping GT secure a solid start during the power-play phase.

Rahane acknowledged that while 180 runs was a competitive score, KKR's failure to secure early wickets during the power-play was detrimental. He emphasized that there were no excuses for the defeat.

“Shubman Gill played exceptionally well. I felt the ball was holding a bit, and anything pitched up was coming nicely, especially with some dew around. However, we needed to take wickets early in the power-play, and they batted beautifully,” Rahane commented post-match.

Reflecting on the loss, Rahane chose to focus on the positives, particularly praising Cameron Green's aggressive innings under pressure after KKR lost early wickets.

“It’s challenging to reflect right after a loss, but I want to highlight the positives, especially how we started after losing two or three wickets. Cameron Green’s innings was impressive; he counter-attacked effectively, which had a positive influence on the game. From 147 for four to reaching 180 was tough, but our bowlers did well to keep the game competitive until the last over,” he added.

Green's first half-century in IPL 2026 helped KKR set a total of 180 against GT, scoring 79 runs off 55 balls. This performance marked his second-highest IPL score, following his 100* against SRH while playing for MI in 2023.

With this victory, GT has now secured three consecutive wins in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), having previously triumphed over Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants. They currently hold 6 points from 5 matches, moving up to fourth place in the points table.

Meanwhile, KKR is still in search of their first win in IPL 2026, remaining at the bottom of the table with just one point.