Finn Allen blasted a rapid 93 for Kolkata Knight Riders against Gujarat Titans. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Kolkata Knight Riders kept its IPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a 29-run victory over Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 16.

Finn Allen and Sunil Narine were the top performers for KKR in the match. Allen smashed a 35-ball 93 to set Kolkata Knight Riders on its way to a strong total, before Narine bowled a frugal spell of two for 29 to turn the game in KKR’s favour in the chase.

For GT, captain Shubman Gill and B. Sai Sudharsan were the top performers with their breezy half-centuries.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

Ajinkya Rahane: 1.5 — Struggled to get off to a quick start and was eventually castled by Mohammad Siraj (14 off 14 balls; one four).

Finn Allen: 9.5 — The opening batter only focused on six hitting during his knock. He eventually fell seven runs short of his century (93 off 35 balls; 4 fours, 10 sixes).

Angkrish Raghuvanshi: 6 — The youngster began playing a second fiddle to Allen before taking over the hitting duties to finish unbeaten on 82 off 44 balls (4 fours, 7 sixes).

Cameron Green: 6 — The Australia all-rounder gave terrific support from the other end to finish 52 not out off just 28 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes).

Sunil Narine: 7.5 — The veteran spinner put on brilliant performance to bowl an economic spell while also picking crucial wickets of Nishant Sindhu and Shubman Gill (2/29 in 4 overs).

Anukul Roy: 2.5 — He bowled just one over and conceded 17 runs in it (0/17 in 1 over).

Varun Chakaravarthy: 2 — The mystery spinner didn’t get much purchase off the surface and finished with an expensive outing (0/47 in 4 overs).

Saurabh Dubey: 5.5 — The Vidarbha pacer bowled an economical spell, including a five-run penultimate over to close game in favour of his team (1/23 in 2.4 overs).

Kartik Tyagi: 1.5 — The young pacer also had a forgettable night with the ball returning wicketless after leaking 59 runs in his four overs (0/59 in 4 overs).

Matheesha Pathirana: 2 - Bowled just eight balls before leaving the field with an injury. (0/8 in 1.2 overs)

GUJARAT TITANS

Shubman Gill: 6.5 — The GT captain played a terrific knock to keep the team in chase for the most part of the game. He missed out on his century (85 off 49 balls; 5 fours, 7 sixes)

B. Sai Sudharsan: 5.5 — Scored a brisk fifty either side of an elbow injury that forced him to retire hurt (52 off 28 balls; six fours, three sixes).

Jos Buttler: 4.5 — The Englishman’s innings never went into the attacking mode. Although he managed 57 off 35 (5 fours, 2 sixes), Buttler was hardly close to finish the game.

Nishant Sindhu: 1.5- Came in to replace the injured Sai Sudharsan, but holed out without much contribution (1 off 4 balls).

Rahul Tewatia: 3 - Came out to bat when the result was already decided, and failed to make much of an impact at all (2 off four balls).

Jason Holder: 4 — The West Indian all-rounder was the most economical bowler for GT but couldn’t take any wicket (0/39 in 4 overs).

R. Sai Kishore: 3 — The left-arm spinner also finished the night on a slightly expensive side and didn’t complete his full quota (1/38 in 3 overs).

Rashid Khan: 1 — The leg-spinner had one of his most expensive outings, conceding 57 runs in his four overs without picking any wicket (0/57 in 4 overs).

Arshan Khan: 2 — The left-arm pacer was only given one over in which he conceded 22 runs. (0/22 in 1 over)

Kagiso Rabada: 4 — The South Africa pacer was unlucky at times with catch drops and KKR batters managed to get 40 runs in his four overs (0/40 in 4 overs).

Mohammad Siraj: 3.5 — The pacer had a forgettable outing with both ball and in the field. Despite removing Rahane early, Siraj ended up conceding 50 runs in his four overs (0/50 in 4 overs).

Published on May 17, 2026