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Shubman Gill's Masterclass Powers GT to Victory Over KKR, Says Chawla

Former spinner Piyush Chawla highlighted Shubman Gill's composed 86-run knock as the decisive factor in Gujarat Titans' victory over Kolkata Knight Riders. He praised Gill's technical perfection and risk-free batting that kept GT ahead in the chase. Chawla pointed out that KKR, despite a strong platform from Cameron Green, threw away the match with poor shot selection in the death overs. The collapse of losing six wickets for 33 runs ultimately kept the target within GT's reach.

Key Points: Piyush Chawla Praises Shubman Gill's Match-Winning Knock for GT

  • Gill's 86 anchored GT's chase
  • KKR collapsed in death overs
  • Cameron Green's 79 went in vain
  • Chawla criticizes KKR's shot selection
2 min read

Gill is technically so good that you will never see him fall short of runs: Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla analyzes GT's win over KKR, crediting Shubman Gill's flawless 86 and criticizing KKR's death-over collapse in IPL 2026.

"He is technically so good that you will never see him fall short of runs. - Piyush Chawla"

New Delhi, April 18

Former India spinner Piyush Chawla credited Shubman Gill's composed knock for tilting Gujarat Titans' clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders decisively, while also pointing out the AJinkya Rahane-led team's failure to capitalise at the death as the turning point in the game.

Gill's fluent 86 powered GT to a five-wicket win at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday. He anchored the 181-run chase with authority and control, helping his side clinch their third consecutive victory.

"We all know what Shubman Gill is capable of. When he is on song, he is such a pleasing batter to watch. In this knock of 86, Gill played only cricketing shots. He made sure he put the KKR bowling attack on the back foot just by playing those normal cricketing shots. He played on the merit of the ball, hardly taking any risks. He just made sure that everything pitched in his area went out of the park. That is the beauty of his batting. He is technically so good that you will never see him fall short of runs," Chawla told JioStar.

Gill's innings ensured GT stayed ahead for most of the chase, even as KKR managed to drag the contest into the final over before Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan calmly finished the job. Chawla, however, felt KKR had let the match slip earlier despite a strong platform set by Cameron Green, who top-scored with 79.

"KKR looked like they were going to cross the 200-run mark easily after scoring 139 at the end of 14 overs, thanks to Cameron Green's brilliant batting. After losing three wickets in the Powerplay, the way they came back in the middle overs was magnificent to watch. Since the beginning of IPL 2026, we have been talking about the middle phase being a problem for KKR.

"But in Ahmedabad, they turned things around and batted beautifully. However, when it came to making the bowlers pay in the death overs, KKR batters did not apply themselves at all and kept throwing their wickets. It is not that their batters got out to magical deliveries from GT bowlers. It was poor shot selection," Chawla stated.

KKR eventually finished on 180 after losing six wickets for just 33 runs in the final phase, a collapse that allowed Gujarat Titans' bowlers to pull things back and keep the target within reach.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As a KKR fan, this loss hurts. Green played so well, but the collapse at the death was painful to watch. We just can't seem to finish innings strongly this season. Need to fix this ASAP!
V
Vikram M
Watching Gill bat is like watching a textbook come to life. He makes it look so effortless. Hope he carries this form into the T20 World Cup later this year.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, while Gill was brilliant, I think Chawla is being a bit harsh on KKR's death batting. The GT bowlers executed their plans perfectly under pressure. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition.
S
Sarah B
The contrast between the two innings was the story. One was controlled and technically perfect (Gill), the other lost all structure at the end (KKR). Great analysis from Piyush Chawla.
M
Michael C
Cameron Green played a fantastic knock, but it's a team game. KKR's middle order needs to support him better. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, is just in a different league right now. Pure class!

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