Shubman Gill’s 90-run Masterclass Ends in Heartbreak—Again!
Oh no, not again! That’s what fans across the country were probably shouting when Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill fell just 10 runs short of a well-deserved century against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on April 21. A full toss delivery—normally a gift to any batter—turned into a nightmare for Gill as he lofted it straight into the safe hands of Rinku Singh.
And just like that, the dream of his second IPL century this season was crushed.
But make no mistake—Gill’s innings was nothing short of class. He scored a scintillating 90 off 55 balls, peppering the boundary with elegant cover drives, smart singles, and a few cheeky flicks. It wasn’t just a knock; it was a captain's performance that laid the foundation for a solid GT total.
📊 A Not-So-Great Stat: Dismissed in the 90s—Again!
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Gill has missed out on a ton by a whisker. In fact, this is the second time he’s been dismissed in the 90s in his IPL career. The previous heartbreaker came in 2022 against Punjab Kings, where he got out for 96.
That puts him in an elite but unfortunate club of batters who have fallen in the 90s more than once in IPL history. Here’s a quick look:
🔹 Ruturaj Gaikwad – 3 times
🔹 Glenn Maxwell – 3 times
🔹 David Warner – 3 times
🔹 Chris Gayle – 2 times
🔹 Faf du Plessis – 2 times
🔹 Virat Kohli – 2 times
🔹 KL Rahul – 2 times
🔹 Shubman Gill – 2 times
That’s some serious company to keep, but definitely a stat Gill would love to change going forward.
🧮 Orange Cap Race Heats Up!
While missing out on the century stung, the positive takeaway is that Gill’s fiery knock pushed him up in the Orange Cap standings. With this innings, he crossed the 300-run milestone, taking his tally to 305 runs from 8 innings, and a healthy strike rate of 153.26.
Currently, that places him at 7th spot in the race for the Orange Cap. But you know who’s taken the lead? His own teammate—Sai Sudharsan.
Sai Sudharsan Shines Bright 💫
Gill’s opening partner, Sai Sudharsan, continued his brilliant form by smashing a classy 52 off 36 balls. The two of them stitched together a 114-run partnership for the opening wicket, setting the tone for Gujarat Titans’ innings.
Sudharsan’s consistency is no fluke. With 417 runs in just 8 innings, he’s now the top scorer in IPL 2025—yes, you heard that right! His strike rate of 152.18 shows he's not just scoring big; he’s scoring fast.
GT’s Batting—From Slow Start to Solid Finish
Despite a bit of a sluggish start during the powerplay, Gujarat Titans made a strong comeback. The pitch at Eden Gardens wasn’t the easiest to bat on—it had that typical Kolkata touch, slightly two-paced and gripping, especially for the pacers.
Enter Jos Buttler, who gave the innings a much-needed boost at the death overs. He slammed an unbeaten 41 off just 23 balls, turning the momentum completely in GT’s favour.
From a lukewarm beginning to a blazing finish, Gujarat Titans managed to post a competitive total of 198 for 3—a challenging score on a slightly tricky surface.
🏏 Fielding Woes for KKR
While the Titans put on a show with the bat, KKR’s fielding left a lot to be desired. Dropped catches, sloppy misfields, and some questionable ground efforts gifted GT at least 20 extra runs. On a day when every run counts, that kind of fielding simply doesn’t cut it.
It wasn’t just the dew or the pitch that made things difficult—it was also KKR’s lapses in the field that allowed Gujarat to nearly touch 200.
🚀 Quick Highlights Recap:
✅ Shubman Gill scored 90 (55), falling short of a century
✅ Sai Sudharsan made 52 (36) and now leads Orange Cap race
✅ GT posted 198/3 after Buttler’s quickfire 41*
✅ Eden pitch was slow and tricky for pacers
✅ KKR’s poor fielding helped GT’s final push
✅ Gill now has 305 runs in 8 innings (Strike Rate: 153.26)
Why This Match Mattered
Apart from just being another league game, this one had a lot riding on it. Gujarat Titans needed a statement win after a couple of shaky performances, and this was just that. The top order clicked, the captain led from the front, and the momentum seems to be swinging back in GT’s favour.
Also, let’s not forget—it was a return to Eden Gardens for Shubman Gill, who started his IPL journey with Kolkata Knight Riders. And boy, did he make it count! While he missed out on a hundred, he surely gave the crowd a performance to remember.
🏆 IPL 2025: Things Heating Up!
With each passing game, the IPL 2025 race is getting tighter. Teams are jostling for spots in the playoffs, and players are fiercely competing for individual honours like the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
Stay glued for:
🔸 Live score updates
🔸 Match schedules
🔸 Updated points tables
🔸 Team standings (CSK, MI, RCB, GT, KKR, DC, RR, LSG, SRH, PBKS)
🔸 Top batter & bowler stats
🔸 Game-changing moments and more!
Whether you’re a Gujarat Titans fan or just a cricket lover, this season promises drama, action, heartbreaks, and heroic comebacks—all in the true IPL style.
Final Thoughts
Gill’s 90 may not have turned into a century, but it sure felt like one. His calm yet aggressive approach, his partnership with Sudharsan, and his overall leadership show that he’s not just a promising young batter—he’s evolving into a dependable captain too.
One can only hope the next time he gets into the 90s, luck is on his side and not in the hands of a fielder like Rinku Singh!
Till then, fingers crossed for that elusive ton, Shubman!
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