Gujarat Titans (GT) take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 17, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, in a clash of contrasting fortunes. Led by Shubman Gill, GT have found momentum with back-to-back wins, including an impressive outing against Lucknow Super Giants. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane’s KKR are enduring a nightmare start, winless after five matches and languishing at the bottom of the table.KKR’s struggles stem largely from an unsettled batting order, lack of quality spin-hitters, and injury concerns in their bowling attack. Apart from a few positives like Angkrish Raghuvanshi, there has been little to cheer.On the other hand, GT’s bowling has been disciplined, while their top order, boosted by Jos Buttler’s return to form, looks formidable. However, their middle order remains slightly fragile, offering KKR a narrow window of opportunity.Here are the 5 key battles to watch in today’s match
Shubman Gill vs Sunil Narine
The battle at the top could set the tone for the match. Gill has struggled against Sunil Narine in the IPL, having been dismissed twice while scoring just 13 runs off 12 balls. With 165 runs this season, Gill is currently in great form with 165 runs this season, but he must navigate Narine’s powerplay overs to set a platform for GT.
Jos Buttler vs Varun Chakravarthy
Despite his “Jos the Boss” reputation, Jos Buttler has a nightmare record against Varun Chakravarthy. Since 2025, he has managed only 23 runs off 26 balls against the mystery spinner, getting out four times. KKR could use Varun strategically, possibly as an Impact Player, to target Buttler early.
Ajinkya Rahane vs Mohammed Siraj
The experienced Ajinkya Rahane has found it difficult to break free against Mohammed Siraj in recent years. Since 2020, Rahane has scored just 13 runs off 20 balls against Siraj at a strike rate of 65, losing his wicket once. Siraj’s ability to cramp Rahane for room early on will be key for GT to maintain their powerplay pressure.
Kagiso Rabada vs Cameron Green
In the ongoing IPL 2026, Kagiso Rabada (GT) has held a clear tactical and psychological edge over Cameron Green (KKR), who is struggling through what many are calling a “shocking” and “nightmare” season. In the 2025 WTC Final, Rabada dismissed Green twice in the same match, including a “flawless delivery” that clean-bowled him on Day 2.
Rashid Khan vs Angkrish Raghuvanshi
This middle-overs battle could be decisive. Rashid Khan remains one of the most effective bowlers in this phase, with 5 wickets at an average of 17 this season. Raghuvanshi, with 182 runs in five matches, has been one of the few bright spots for KKR and will need to counter Rashid’s threat.
