Match: Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders — IPL 2026, Match 25
Date & Time: Friday, April 17, 2026 — 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Captains: Shubman Gill (GT) | Ajinkya Rahane (KKR)
Live: Star Sports (TV) | JioHotstar (OTT)
Match Introduction
IPL 2026 reaches one of the world’s most spectacular cricket arenas tonight — the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the largest cricket ground on earth with a capacity of 1,32,000. Gujarat Titans are set to take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 25 of the Indian Premier League 2026 on April 17 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. CricTracker
The context of this match could not be more different for the two teams. Gujarat Titans currently sit sixth on the points table with two wins from four matches. After a shaky start with back-to-back losses, they bounced back strongly with consecutive victories, gaining valuable momentum. CricTracker
Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, are in an unprecedented crisis. Under captain Ajinkya Rahane and coach Abhishek Nayar, KKR have struggled for clarity, slumping to four defeats in five matches and still searching for their first win of the season. Google The three-time champions of the IPL have never started a season quite this poorly — and tonight, facing a resurgent GT at their home fortress, they need something exceptional to break the drought.
The individual battles are mouth-watering. Rashid Khan versus KKR’s middle order. Jos Buttler versus the new ball. Sunil Narine against GT’s pace-heavy top order. Rinku Singh in a must-win game. This is IPL cricket at its most compelling — a team desperate for momentum against a team desperate for survival.
Quick Match Info
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | IPL 2026, Match 25 |
| Date | Friday, April 17, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST (Toss: 7:00 PM) |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| GT Captain | Shubman Gill |
| KKR Captain | Ajinkya Rahane |
| TV | Star Sports 1, 2, 3 and HD |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar (app and website) |
| Weather | Clear, hot — 35–36°C, no rain |
Head-to-Head Record
So far, KKR and GT have faced each other on four occasions, where Gujarat registered three wins while Kolkata has only one victory against them. Cricket Addictor
GT’s overall head-to-head dominance is clear, and the recent record makes even grimmer reading for KKR. GT won by 39 runs in April 2025, and the match before that in May 2024 was abandoned. GT won by 7 wickets in 2023, and KKR’s only win came in April 2023 on the last ball. ESPNcricinfo
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | NR | IPL 2026 Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT — Gujarat Titans | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | W W L L W |
| KKR — Kolkata Knight Riders | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | L L L L NR |
Notable H2H Fact: The most memorable encounter between these teams remains the 2023 clash where Rinku Singh hit five consecutive sixes in the final over. Fittingly, Rinku plays tonight in a must-win game for KKR at the same venue.
Pitch Report — Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The only match played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this season produced a high-scoring contest with Gujarat Titans suffering a narrow six-run loss to Rajasthan Royals, with a total of 414 runs scored in the match. Google
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is the one where captains who win the toss generally decide to bat first. Last season, teams batting first won seven of the nine matches played in Ahmedabad. In the only match played here this season, Rajasthan Royals also batted first and won the game by six runs. CricTracker
This will be the first match on pitch No. 6 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. During the T20 World Cup, it proved to be an excellent batting surface, though pacers could extract extra bounce with hard lengths. There may be some early swing, but it is unlikely to last long. myKhel
In summary — this is a batting-first ground. The conditions reward stroke play and big hitting. Spinners get more help as the game progresses, which means Rashid Khan and Varun Chakravarthy both have important roles to play in the middle overs. Scoring 180+ is the baseline expectation; 200+ is entirely achievable.
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| IPL 2026 Match Here | RR vs GT — 414 runs total |
| Teams Batting First Record (IPL 2025) | 7 wins from 9 matches |
| Expected Total | 180–210 |
| Early Swing | Yes — pacers threat in first 3 overs |
| Spinner Influence | Medium-high in overs 8–15 |
| Weather | 35–36°C, clear, no rain |
Probable Playing XI
Gujarat Titans:
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma, Prasidh Krishna. Impact Player: Shahrukh Khan. Google
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Ajinkya Rahane (C), Finn Allen, Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakravarthy, Kartik Tyagi. Google
Final XIs confirmed at the toss — 7:00 PM IST.
Team Analysis
Gujarat Titans — Momentum Builds
GT are finding their feet after an uncertain start. Shubman Gill has scored 165 runs in three matches at an impressive average of over 50, showcasing strong form at the top of the order. CricTracker Alongside Sai Sudharsan — who has been equally consistent — GT possess arguably the most solid opening partnership in IPL 2026 outside of Punjab Kings.
The bowling attack is their biggest strength. Prasidh Krishna leads the wickets chart among GT bowlers; Rashid Khan provides the crucial middle-overs control that most teams struggle to replicate; and Mohammed Siraj adds genuine pace and swing in the powerplay. At a venue that has historically suited teams bowling well upfront, GT’s attack is built for Ahmedabad.
GT enter as favourites, while KKR must respond quickly to stay alive in the competition. myKhel
Kolkata Knight Riders — Zero Wins, Mounting Questions
The scale of KKR’s crisis is hard to overstate. They won the IPL in 2024 — just two seasons ago — and now sit alone at the bottom of the 2026 table, winless from five matches. The batting has misfired collectively; the bowling has leaked runs; and the captaincy tactics of Ajinkya Rahane have come under repeated scrutiny.
Tactical calls, including promoting Sunil Narine as opener, have disrupted the batting order, pushing Ajinkya Rahane down. Their bowling has improved, but Varun Chakravarthy needs to step up. myKhel
The one reliable positive has been Cameron Green finally bowling again. If both his bat and ball contribute tonight, KKR’s balance improves significantly. Rinku Singh — who made this ground famous with five consecutive sixes in 2023 — has yet to produce the match-winning innings KKR desperately need. Tonight, at the very same venue, feels like the moment it has to happen.
Key Players to Watch
Shubman Gill (GT)
The GT captain is in the best form of his IPL career. Nine matches, 426 runs, averaging 53.25 at a strike rate of 152.14. ESPNcricinfo At his home ground in Ahmedabad, Gill is virtually unstoppable when he gets going in the first six overs. KKR’s pacers will need to find a weakness — and quickly — before he settles.
Rashid Khan (GT)
The Afghan leg-spinner is the heartbeat of GT’s bowling unit at this venue. On a pitch that slows as the game progresses, Rashid’s pace variation and ability to bowl into the rough becomes even more potent. Against a KKR batting lineup that has struggled against quality spin all season, he is the match-defining bowler.
Jos Buttler (GT)
The explosive Englishman provides GT with a game-changing presence at No. 3. If he takes off early in the match, then it will cause a lot of trouble for KKR. Cricket Addictor On a flat Ahmedabad pitch, Buttler’s ability to hit sixes into the stands at Narendra Modi Stadium makes him one of the most dangerous batters in the competition.
Sunil Narine (KKR)
KKR’s most versatile and experienced performer. With the bat at the top of the order, he can destroy bowling attacks in the powerplay. With the ball in the middle overs, he ties down batters better than almost anyone in T20 cricket. To stop Buttler from striking the ball, the spin wizard Sunil Narine will be the best weapon for the Knights. Cricket Addictor
Rinku Singh (KKR)
Five sixes in the final over, at this ground, in 2023 — it remains one of the most iconic moments in IPL history. Since then, Rinku has been KKR’s most reliable finisher, but IPL 2026 has been quiet for him. Playing at the ground where his legend was born, in a must-win match, Rinku Singh has every reason to deliver the kind of innings that changes KKR’s season.
Prasidh Krishna (GT)
The leading wicket-taker among GT bowlers — 18 wickets from 10 recent matches at a strike rate of 13.33. ESPNcricinfo His ability to take wickets at the top of the order is crucial on a batting-friendly surface. Against Finn Allen and Ajinkya Rahane in the powerplay, Prasidh’s pace and awkward height could be decisive.
Match Prediction
Win Probability: GT 65% — KKR 35%
The numbers are straightforward. GT are at home. They have won three of four head-to-head meetings. They are in better form. Their bowling attack is more suited to this surface. And KKR are winless from five matches — which is both a statistical reality and a psychological burden.
However, T20 cricket resists neat narrative arcs, and KKR’s zero-win record actually gives them a strange freedom tonight. There is nothing left to lose. If Narine explodes in the powerplay, if Rinku plays the innings of his season, if Varun Chakravarthy finds the turning pitch he needs — an upset becomes very possible.
GT’s path to victory: Gill and Sudharsan bat deep in the powerplay, set up a 190+ total, and let Rashid Khan and Prasidh Krishna dismantle KKR’s fragile batting confidence in the middle overs.
KKR’s path to victory: Narine smashes 40 in four overs at the top, Cameron Green contributes meaningfully with both bat and ball, and Rinku does what Rinku does in the final overs.
Prediction: GT to win by 20–30 runs or 5 wickets. Home advantage, better form, and superior head-to-head record make GT the rational pick. But if there was ever a match where KKR might produce a miracle — it is on this ground.
IPL 2026 Points Table (Before Match 25)
| # | Team | M | W | L | NR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Punjab Kings | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2 | Rajasthan Royals | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 3 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Delhi Capitals | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | SRH | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Gujarat Titans | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | CSK | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 8 | LSG | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | Mumbai Indians | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | KKR | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
A GT win tonight takes them to 6 points and potentially into the top 4 based on NRR. A KKR win — their first of the season — gives them 2 points and a potentially season-saving boost of confidence.
Fantasy Cricket Tips — Dream11
| Role | Player | Team | Why Pick? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain | Shubman Gill | GT | 426 runs from 9 recent games, avg 53.25 — home ground advantage |
| Vice-Captain | Sunil Narine | KKR | Bat + bowl dual value — always a must-pick |
| Batter | Sai Sudharsan | GT | Consistent form, 416 runs in 10 recent games |
| Batter | Jos Buttler | GT | Explosive No. 3 on a flat Ahmedabad pitch |
| All-rounder | Washington Sundar | GT | Bat + bowl on a spin-friendly surface |
| Bowler | Rashid Khan | GT | Home pitch, middle overs spinner — wickets guaranteed |
| Bowler | Prasidh Krishna | GT | Wicket-taker, 18 wickets in 10 recent matches |
| Finisher | Rinku Singh | KKR | Must-win game at his iconic ground — high ceiling |
Live Streaming Details
Television (India): Star Sports 1, 2, 3 and HD channels. Hindi and English commentary available.
OTT/Digital (India): JioHotstar — mobile app, website, Smart TV. Multi-language options available.
FAQs
Q: When and where is GT vs KKR IPL 2026 Match 25?
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:30 PM IST at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Toss at 7:00 PM IST.
Q: Who captains GT and KKR?
Shubman Gill captains Gujarat Titans. Ajinkya Rahane captains Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026.
Q: What is the pitch report for Narendra Modi Stadium today?
Batting-friendly surface with early swing for pacers. Teams batting first have a strong record here — 7 wins from 9 IPL 2025 matches. Pitch slows in middle overs, helping spinners. Total range 180–210 expected.
Q: What is GT vs KKR head-to-head?
GT lead 3–1 in 4 completed IPL matches (1 abandoned). GT have dominated this rivalry including a 39-run win in IPL 2025.
Q: Will KKR win their first match tonight?
Possible, but unlikely. GT are 65% favourites at home with better form. KKR’s best chance is Sunil Narine demolishing the powerplay and Rinku Singh finishing the chase — two things that are both possible but have not happened together yet this season.
Q: Where can I watch GT vs KKR live?
Star Sports on TV. JioHotstar on digital platforms (app, website, Smart TV).
Published: 17 April 2026 | Pre-match preview | Sources: CricTracker, MyKhel, Rediff Cricket, CricketAddictor, ESPNcricinfo
