Kolkata Knight Riders’ push back into playoff contention gathered momentum on Saturday as Cameron Green’s side overpowered Gujarat Titans in a run-fest at Eden Gardens, securing a 29-run win and keeping their postseason chances alive after a shaky start to IPL 2026. With the victory, KKR moved into seventh place and delivered what was their fifth win in their last six matches, having looked anything but settled earlier in the campaign.
Green on KKR’s turnaround and squad balance
The all-rounder, who has also been dealing with early-season bowling unavailability, said the team initially took longer than necessary to settle into the correct batting and bowling combinations. Injuries to key bowlers only added to the complications, forcing KKR to keep adjusting plans as the tournament progressed.
Green admitted that the dressing room did not panic, but acknowledged that finding the right roles took time. “There was no panic behind closed doors. It just took us a while—maybe a bit too long—to work out the right roles and get the right people into the right positions,” he said.
He also explained how his own batting placement has been shaped by what helps the team best. Green suggested that Ajinkya Rahane has been providing stability at the top, while Angkrish (Raghuvanshi) has offered promise at No. 3.
“I like to think I can bat in a few spots, but it’s about what’s best for the team. Ajinkya Rahane has been awesome at the top for us, and the same goes for Angkrish, our youngster at No. 3,” Green said. He added that his current role appears to be at No. 4. “So it’s mainly about where I fit in the lineup, and No. 4 seems to be the right place. We’ve found that now, so we’re giving ourselves a little chance here.”
Green’s knock and KKR’s decision-making
Green backed his team’s approach with a captain’s-style finish, remaining unbeaten on 52 off 28 balls, including three fours and four sixes, as KKR posted a commanding total of 247 for two batting first. In the chase, his composure helped KKR set a platform that Gujarat Titans could not fully overhaul.
Green also played down any notion that the match plan against Gujarat spinner Rashid Khan was tailored around a specific matchup advantage. “Rashid is a quality bowler and I’m sure we’ll have plenty of battles with him in the future. No, I don’t think I’m picking Rashid better than most—it’s more just how it has played out,” he said.
He further described how the innings developed after a strong start. “I had a couple of good opportunities to take it deep against GT, and when you come in after a really good partnership, you can keep that momentum going. The guys before me batted beautifully,” Green added.
KKR’s win over Gujarat Titans by 29 runs at Eden Gardens not only underlined their recent surge in form, but also reflected the balance Green says the side has finally managed to lock in—after a difficult opening phase and a season disrupted by injuries.
