Kolkata Knight Riders endured a poor start of their must-win IPL 2026 clash against Gujarat Titans as Mohammed Siraj delivered an excellent ball to remove skipper Ajinkya Rahane at Eden Gardens on Saturday. With KKR aiming to maintain their playoff hopes alive, the early breakthrough handed Gujarat Titans control in the course of the opening phase of the match.
Rahane, who has provided solidity at the highest order for Kolkata this season, had no response to Siraj’s excellent inswinger that rattled the stumps and stunned the Eden Gardens crowd. The dismissal also marked a memorable achievement for Siraj, because the pacer accomplished 200 wickets in T20 cricket.
Mohammed Siraj Produces Sensible Delivery To Dismiss Ajinkya Rahane
After winning the toss, Shubman Gill decided to bowl first for Gujarat Titans on a pitch that was expected to assist the bowlers within the early stages. The move worked perfectly as Mohammed Siraj made an instantaneous impact with a superb opening spell. Bowling at near 138 kph, Siraj delivered a full ball that swung sharply back into Ajinkya Rahane.
The Kolkata Knight Riders captain looked to flick the ball towards the leg side but did not get into position. The late movement completely beat his bat before crashing into the stumps. Rahane’s early dismissal increased the pressure on Kolkata in a match they desperately needed to win.
KKR got here into the sport knowing they need to win all their remaining league matches to remain within the playoff race. Then again, Gujarat Titans began the competition in a robust position near the highest of the table. A victory in Kolkata would officially confirm their place within the IPL 2026 playoffs, making the clash crucial for each teams.
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That’s an enormous breakthrough for #GT. 🤯#MohammedSiraj removes the #KKR captain and shifts the momentum early.#TATAIPL Race To Playoffs 2026 ➡️ #KKRvGT | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/CRwulMlbwZ pic.twitter.com/CUFGEv7efH
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) May 16, 2026
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