Kolkata Knight Riders faced another tough defeat in IPL 2026 as Gujarat Titans chased down the target and won by five wickets. After the match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane shared important insights about the game, especially why Cameron Green did not bowl.
Match Summary: GT Beat KKR in Ahmedabad
The match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 17.
| Match | Venue | Result | Score | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT vs KKR | Ahmedabad | GT won by 5 wickets | KKR 180; GT 181/5 (19.4 overs) | Shubman Gill |
KKR batted first and scored 180 runs. Gujarat Titans chased the target successfully in 19.4 overs.
Shubman Gill led the chase with 86 runs off 50 balls. For KKR, Cameron Green played a key role with 79 runs from 55 balls.
On the bowling side for Gujarat Titans, Kagiso Rabada took three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj and Ashok Sharma picked up two wickets each.
Rahane on KKR’s Performance
After the match, Ajinkya Rahane admitted that it is difficult to speak after repeated losses but tried to focus on positives.
He pointed out that losing three early wickets in the powerplay made things hard for the team. However, he appreciated how the middle order recovered and took the score close to 180.
Rahane said the team needs to learn from these situations and improve their starts in upcoming matches.
Cameron Green’s Key Innings
Rahane praised Cameron Green for his fighting knock under pressure.
Green scored 79 runs and helped KKR reach a competitive total after a poor start. His innings included smart shot selection and attacking intent when the team needed it the most.
Also See : IPL 2026 Latest Updates (April 18): Dhoni Misses SRH Clash, Bumrah Fitness Doubt & ICC Probe News
Why Cameron Green Did Not Bowl
One of the biggest talking points was Green not bowling in the match.
Rahane explained that Green was dealing with cramps during the game. Because of this, he was going on and off the field and was not fit enough to bowl.
He also mentioned that Green’s workload has been managed carefully in recent matches, which played a role in the decision.
Bowling Effort and Team Mindset
Even though Green did not bowl, Rahane appreciated the efforts of the bowling unit. He said the bowlers tried their best to keep the team in the game during the chase.
KKR are still looking for their first win this season and remain near the bottom of the points table. The team now needs to regroup quickly and perform better in upcoming matches.
Final Thoughts
This match highlighted both positives and concerns for KKR. Cameron Green’s batting was a big positive, but his fitness issue raised questions about balance in the team.
Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, showed strong chasing ability and kept their campaign on track.
KKR will now focus on improving their performance as the tournament moves forward.
