A packed Eden Gardens witnessed a batting carnival on May 16, 2026, as Kolkata Knight Riders posted a staggering 247/2 — one of the highest totals of IPL 2026 — and then defended it with disciplined bowling, including a match-defining spell from Sunil Narine (2/29), to beat Gujarat Titans by 29 runs in the 60th match of the season.

Three explosive half-centuries from Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Cameron Green underpinned KKR's total, while Gujarat Titans' chase was ultimately undone despite fighting fifties from Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, and a remarkable innings from Sai Sudharsan — who had to retire hurt before returning to complete a stunning 50 off 27.

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings: 247/2 in 20.0 Overs

KKR's innings was a masterclass in sustained aggression from the very first ball. Their powerplay produced 56 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in 6 overs — a solid foundation laid at a charging pace.

Gujarat Titans were animated with the DRS early. In over 5.2, they challenged two decisions in the same over — first a wicket review against A Raghuvanshi (struck down on umpire's call), then a wide review (also struck down). It was a sign of GT's growing frustration as the runs kept flowing.

Finn Allen set the tone brilliantly. KKR crossed 50 in 5.4 overs (34 balls), and Allen was already in full flight, reaching his fifty off just 21 balls — 3 fours and 4 sixes — one of the most destructive powerplay knocks of this IPL. At the first strategic timeout (8 overs), KKR were 85/1, Allen on 51 and Raghuvanshi on 16.

With Allen's firepower established, the second-wicket partnership with Angkrish Raghuvanshi added 50 in just 25 balls (Allen 28, Raghuvanshi 18, extras 4), and KKR blazed past 100 in 8.6 overs (54 balls).

The 150-run mark was reached in 12.4 overs (76 balls), and the third-wicket stand between Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green began to take shape. That partnership produced 50 runs in just 26 balls (Raghuvanshi 17, Green 33, extras 1), signalling a death-over onslaught in the making.

At the second strategic timeout (15.5 overs), KKR were an imposing 190/2, with Raghuvanshi on 45 and Green on 33. Shortly after, Raghuvanshi reached his fifty off 33 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) — a controlled yet explosive innings from the young KKR batter.

Gujarat Titans' frustration continued with reviews — their wide challenge in over 19.5 against Green was upheld, offering a rare reprieve — but it barely dented the momentum. The 200-run mark fell in 16.6 overs (103 balls), and by then the third-wicket partnership had put on 100 runs in 49 balls (Raghuvanshi 53, Green 46, extras 2).

Cameron Green then raced to his fifty off just 26 balls — 3 fours, 4 sixes — in a breathtaking late cameo that pushed KKR's total into the stratosphere.

At the innings break, KKR had posted an extraordinary 247/2, with Raghuvanshi unbeaten on 82 and Green on 52. It was a total that looked almost unassailable.

KKR Impact Player Subs used: Matheesha Pathirana (in for Finn Allen after over 19.6), Ramandeep Singh, Rovman Powell, Tejasvi Dahiya, Vaibhav Arora.

Gujarat Titans Innings: 218/4 in 20.0 Overs (Target: 248)

Needing 248, Gujarat Titans came out swinging — but 29 runs was ultimately the gap they could never close.

Their powerplay mirrored KKR's almost exactly: 56 runs for 1 wicket in 6 overs. GT crossed 50 in 4.2 overs (26 balls), though 14 extras in that phase showed how much pressure the bowlers were under. Notably, B Sai Sudharsan retired hurt on 23* from 42/0, a setback that disrupted GT's early momentum before his dramatic return later.

At the first strategic timeout (9 overs), GT were 92/1, with Shubman Gill on 46 and Jos Buttler on 6. The second-wicket stand between them began to build beautifully — 50 runs in 33 balls (Gill 36, Buttler 12, extras 2), and GT crossed 100 in 9.5 overs (59 balls).

Shubman Gill brought up his fifty off 33 balls — 2 fours, 5 sixes — and a successful KKR wide review in over 8.1 showed they too were hunting any marginal call. GT's wide challenge in over 11.2 was upheld, keeping the pressure on KKR's attack. The 150-run mark was passed in 13.6 overs (84 balls), with the second-wicket stand now having produced 100 runs in 59 balls (Gill 66, Buttler 34, extras 3).

At the second strategic timeout (16 overs), GT were 177/1, Gill on 85 and Buttler on 50. Jos Buttler had reached his fifty off 32 balls (5 fours, 1 six) — a measured, professional innings from the England wicketkeeper-batter. The game appeared to be heading into a dramatic finish.

But this was where Sunil Narine and KKR's bowlers applied the squeeze. Narine's spell of 2/29 choked GT's scoring at the critical juncture, preventing the acceleration GT needed. A successful KKR no-ball review in over 17.3 (against Sai Sudharsan, upheld) further disrupted GT's momentum.

Sai Sudharsan returned from his retirement and completed a sensational 50 off 27 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) — one of the special cameos of this IPL season — but it came too late to alter the match's outcome. GT reached 200 in 17.6 overs (108 balls), and GT brought in Rahul Tewatia for Mohammed Siraj in over 18.5, but the required rate had become too steep.

Gujarat Titans finished at 218/4 in 20 overs — a valiant effort, but 29 runs short of KKR's colossal target.

GT Impact Player Subs used: Rahul Tewatia (in for Mohammed Siraj, over 18.5), Prasidh Krishna, Glenn Phillips, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat.

Result

Kolkata Knight Riders won by 29 runs

KKR posted 247/2 at Eden Gardens and defended it to beat Gujarat Titans, who finished on 218/4. Despite three half-centuries in GT's chase, Sunil Narine's crucial 2/29 was the difference between the two sides. Narine was rightly named Player of the Match for his decisive role in containing GT's chase at the death.