Kolkata Knight Riders’ tough start to IPL 2026 continued with another setback as Ajinkya Rahane’s team fell to a five-wicket defeat against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. The loss extended KKR’s poor run to five defeats in their first six games, leaving them with only a single point from a washed-out match against Punjab Kings. The three-time champions have struggled to find form and currently sit at the bottom of the points table, carrying a net run rate of -1.149, but their hopes of reaching the playoffs are not yet over.
With eight matches still to be played, KKR can still climb to 17 points if they win all their remaining fixtures, a tally that would almost certainly be enough to secure qualification. Even if they lose one more game, they could still finish inside the top four on 15 points. The path becomes far more complex if they slip in two of their remaining matches; in that scenario, they would end up on 13 points and would likely have to rely on how other teams perform in the closing weeks.
Shubman Gill was the standout performer for Gujarat Titans, setting the tone with a polished 86 as GT chased down the target and finished with the required momentum. Gill’s innings was central to the result, and Gujarat managed the chase in 19.4 overs to register the win.
Earlier in the day, KKR posted 180 all out, largely powered by Cameron Green’s resilient knock of 79 off 55 balls. Green’s effort gave the innings a fighting finish, but once the total was set, Gujarat’s response proved decisive.
In the chase, Gill anchored the innings with composure, striking at the right moments to keep the pressure on KKR’s bowlers. His 86 came off 50 deliveries, and with GT eventually crossing the line, the result handed Gujarat a significant boost.
This victory marked Gujarat Titans’ third consecutive success after beginning the season with two defeats. For KKR, the hunt for their first win of the campaign continues, extending a season that has so far offered more frustration than answers.
