Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continued to make a mess out of its title defence as their batters once again failed to live up to their hype against a consistent Gujarat Titans (GT), who secured a 39-run win over the defending champions at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.
After being put to bat first, GT posted 198/3 thanks to superb half-centuries from skipper Shubman Gill (90), Sai Sudharsan (52) and some fiery finishing from Jos Buttler (41*). In reply, KKR could not put up much of a fight, except their skipper Ajinkya Rahane (50), as they were restricted to 159/8 thanks to superb spells by Prasidh Krishna (2/25) and Rashid Khan (2/25).
KKR have slipped to seventh spot with three wins and their fifth loss, while GT maintain their supremacy at top with six wins and two losses, giving them 12 points.
During the run chase of 199 runs, KKR was off to a poor start as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was trapped leg-before-wicket for just one run by Mohammed Siraj. KKR was 2/1 in 0.5 overs.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine took the attack during the powerplay, with Rahane being the aggressor.
A catch at square leg by Rahul Tewatia earned Rashid Khan the wicket of Narine for 17 in 13 balls, with two fours and a six. KKR was 43/2 in 5.3 overs.
KKR reached the 50-run mark in seven overs.
At the end of 10 overs, KKR was 68/2, with Venkatesh Iyer (11*) and Ajinkya Rahane (33*) being unbeaten.

Venkatesh Iyer and Rahane continued the run-chase, however, they could not carry for long as Iyer’s sluggish knock of 14 in 19 balls was ended by Sai Kishore, thanks to a fine catch from Washington Sundar. KKR was 84/3 in 11.3 overs and Iyer’s struggles continued. -TIN Bureau