Kolkata: Shubman Gill did not hold back in his assessment after Gujarat Titans suffered a 29-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL 2026 clash on Saturday, pointing squarely at his team’s poor fielding effort.
Costly drops prove decisive
Gujarat Titans’ fielding woes were on full display as they dropped four crucial catches during KKR’s innings — errors that ultimately proved decisive in a high-scoring encounter at Eden Gardens.
KKR opener Finn Allen was handed two lifelines and made GT pay with a blistering 93 off just 35 balls. Meanwhile, Angkrish Raghuvanshi capitalised on his reprieve to score 82 off 44 deliveries, powering KKR to a daunting total of 247/2.
“We didn’t deserve to win”: Gill
A visibly frustrated Gill admitted that his side fell short of its own standards in the field.
“No concerns but our fielding could’ve been a lot better. We set a certain standard and dropping three sitters — we didn’t deserve to win this one,” Gill said after the match.
He added that the batting effort was competitive but undermined by lapses in the field.
“Looking at the wicket, 200–210 was a par score, but we dropped too many catches. The pitch was good, and I felt we batted well to get to the score we did.”
KKR’s batting brilliance shines
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane praised his batters for their aggressive approach, which set up the victory.
“Very good game, really happy with two points. Amazing to see Allen, Angkrish and Green’s knocks. The intent was outstanding,” Rahane said.
He also credited the bowling unit, highlighting performances from Sunil Narine and Saurabh Dubey, while applauding Varun Chakravarthy for pushing through injury.
Points table implications
The win lifts Kolkata Knight Riders to sixth place in the standings, keeping them in contention for the playoffs. Punjab Kings currently occupy the fourth spot.
For Gujarat Titans, the defeat exposes vulnerabilities, particularly in fielding — an area Gill made clear must improve if they are to stay competitive in the tournament