Matheesha Pathirana's Wait Continues As Winless KKR Face Gujarat Titans Away

Gujarat Titans vs KKR. [Source - AP]

KKR remain winless in IPL 2026, desperate for their first victory after five games. The team is facing mounting pressure, especially with Matheesa Pathirana, their marquee signing still absent. 

Despite receiving his NOC from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, Pathirana has not yet joined KKR’s camp. This game against Gujarat Titnas is a must-win for KKR, who are already feeling the strain of their winless streak.

GT vs KKR Match Preview- IPL 2026, Match 25

Gujarat Titans and KKR are coming up against each other in Match 25 of the ongoing IPL 2026 on Friday, April 17. The crucial encounter will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and will go live for fans at 7:30 PM IST.

Gujarat Titans back to their best

Gujarat Titans made a rocky start to IPL 2026, losing their first two games. However, they have bounced back in impressive fashion, winning two consecutive matches and climbing to mid-table with 4 points. 

• The top-order is back to it's best, contributing a massive 66.66% of the team's total runs,
• the second-highest in IPL 2026. 

Table - GT top-order in IPL at Narendra Modi Stadium

While their bowling has been getting into its groove, there is still a challenge in taking early wickets. However, their middle-overs bowling has been exceptional. 

• Gujarat Titans have the best bowling side between 7-16 overs in IPL 2026, 
• with 16 wickets, an 8.18 economy, and a 15 strike rate. 
• Prasidh Krishna has been the standout performer, picking up 8 wickets at an economy of 8 and a wicket every 7.5 balls in 7-16 overs. 
• Meanwhile, Rashid Khan is back to his best, conceding just 6.87 runs per over and taking 5 wickets so far in IPL 2026.

Out of Form, KKR Desperate for Their First Win

KKR is currently the only team in IPL 2026 without a win, sittinh at the bottom of the points table. The lone point they have earned came from a washout against Punjab Kings. Their batting has been nothing short of miserable, with the top-order failing to fire after the first couple of games. 

• KKR might see this as an opportunity to exploit Gujarat Titans' weakness in the powerplay, where they have taken just 3 wickets in 4 games. 
• However, KKR's middle-order remains their biggest concern which is striking at just 135.09, the second-lowest in IPL 2026.
• Despite decent powerplay numbers, where their strike-rate is in the mid-150s, 
• KKR’s performance drops significantly between 7-16 overs where they have lost a wicket every 15 balls, 
• the worst balls-per-wicket ratio in IPL 2026 during the middle-overs.
• Their strike-rate also has been just 137.50 in that phase, the second-worst in IPL 2026.
• With the ball, KKR have been equally poor, conceding at an alarming 10.24 runs per over,
• making them the second-most expensive bowling attack in the league this season.

Also Read: KKR Hints Blockbuster Change To Their Roster For Remainder Of IPL 2026

Players To Watch Out

Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna is a key player to watch in GT vs KKR. The pacer is currently the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2026, with 10 wickets at an average of 15.29. At Narendra Modi Stadium, his numbers are even more exceptional as he has 14 wickets at 13.2 strike-rate since IPL 2025.

Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh is another player under scrutiny for his current form. KKR have not utilised him effectively, but the left-hander must step up, especially in the middle-overs, where he has been dismissed all three times this season, averaging 20.33 at a strike rate of 115.09.

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler, has found his mojo back and has scored consecutive half-centuries in the last two games. He is the leading run-scorer of Gujarat Titans at the moment with 176 runs. Moreover, the Englishman enjoys batting against KKR against whom he has 518 runs at 47.09, including two centuries.

Key Stats

• Gujarat Titans lead the head-to-head record vs KKR by 3-1.
• Gujarat Titans has lost 3 of the last 5 games at Ahmedabad.
• KKR has won 3 of the 4 games they have played at Narendra Modi Stadium.
• KKR has won the only match they have played vs GT at Ahmedabad.
• Sai Sudharsan has 2 half centuries in 2 innings vs KKR.
• Shubman Gill is leading run-scorer in GT vs KKR - 185 runs, 146.82 strike-rate.
• Rashid Khan is leading wicket-taker in GT vs KKR clash - 7 wickets, 13.7 strike-rate, 8.62 rpo.
• Varun Chakrvarthy has dismissed Jos Buttler 4 times in last 6 innings in T20s. 

Possible Changes

Finn Allen Out, Tim Seifert In

Finn Allen has struggled for form, scoring just 81 runs in five innings and failing to get going in his last three outings, falling for single-digit scores each time. In-form New Zealand opener Tim Seifert could replace his fellow countryman at the top in KKR’s playing XI.

Sai Kishore to Bolster GT’s Spin

Gujarat Titans are likely to stick with the same playing XI, but there remains an outside chance of including Sai Kishore, considering KKR’s struggles against spin. Notably, he impressed in Ahmedabad last season, picking up 9 wickets at a strike rate of 11.3.

What To Expect?

It is expected to be another win-the-toss-and-chase surface in Ahmedabad, with the ball coming nicely onto the bat. Pacers will need to hit the deck hard to trouble the batters.

Notably, KKR’s openers will have the best chance to make an impact under these conditions. Overall, Gujarat Titans appear stronger across all aspects and will start as clear favourites in this contest.

Also Read: Quinton De Kock Cruises Past MS Dhoni During Fairytale Comeback For MI