Shubman Gill was fired up fists flying, screams echoing through the Eden Gardens. In a rare display of raw emotion, he let out a few charged words before sprinting towards Sai Kishore and thumping his chest in celebration.
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Shubman Gill’s Rare Emotional Outburst at Eden Gardens
You don’t often see Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill caught up in wild celebrations after dismissing an opposition batter. While he’s not one to shy away from exchanging a few words with the umpire if he feels an injustice has occurred, Gill usually avoids giving send-offs. However, the intensity and significance of GT’s away match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens brought out a rare burst of emotion from the young skipper. KKR all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer became the unexpected recipient of Shubman Gill rare show of aggression.
In the 12th over of KKR’s 200-run chase, GT’s left-arm spinner Sai Kishore floated one up to Iyer, tempting him into a big shot. Iyer, still searching for rhythm, attempted a slog sweep, trying to cash in on the favorable match-up. But Kishore held the ball back cleverly, offering no pace. Iyer mistimed his shot and ended up sending it straight into the hands of the deep square leg fielder.
As soon as Washington Sundar completed the catch, Shubman Gill erupted—fists pumping, a roar piercing through the Eden Gardens crowd. The GT captain even shouted a few words before running over to Kishore and thumping his chest in celebration, showcasing just how much the moment meant to him.
Marching ahead in emphatic fashion 👊
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 21, 2025
Table-toppers #GT continue their winning run with a dominant 39-run victory👏
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/TwaiwD5D6n#TATAIPL | #KKRvGT | @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/qoqWyWAhFJ
Iyer lowered his head and began the long walk back after managing just 14 runs off 19 balls. His dismissal left KKR at 84 for 3 in 11.3 overs, a pivotal moment that, according to GT skipper Shubman Gill, effectively “closed out” the match for his side. And it certainly played out that way. KKR, hampered by a lack of intent and a poorly executed chase, never came close to the required run rate of 10 per over. They eventually finished at 159 for 8 in their 20 overs. GT sealed a convincing 39-run victory, further solidifying their position at the top of the points table. With 12 points from 8 matches, they’ve taken a big leap toward securing a playoff spot.
Shubman Gill reveals reasons behind aggressive send-off to Venkatesh Iyer
After Gujarat Titans’ emphatic win over Kolkata Knight Riders, Shubman Gill opened up about his rare display of emotion following the dismissal of Venkatesh Iyer. Known for his calm demeanor, Gill explained that the moment got the better of him due to its significance. “We were ahead in the game, but it’s one thing to be ahead and another to close the game. Good teams, when they are chasing or defending, close the game very well. So that was just some of my emotions coming out,” he said.
Gill’s words were backed by a match-winning performance with the bat. He smashed 90 off 55 balls, expertly navigating a tricky surface alongside opening partner Sai Sudharsan, who continued his rich form with his fifth 50-plus score of the season—an assured 52 off 34. The duo stitched together a 114-run opening stand that laid the foundation for GT’s imposing 198/3.
Despite losing the toss, Gill paced the innings beautifully, mixing caution with bursts of aggression. His 33-ball fifty included 29 runs off just 12 balls. Sudharsan, too, assessed the conditions well before falling to Andre Russell after reaching his half-century. Jos Buttler provided the late fireworks with an unbeaten 41 off just 23 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries.
Gill, who was dismissed in the 18th over trying to accelerate further, emphasized the team’s focus on adaptability. “We just want to play our best game whenever we’re out there. We never talk about that one of us has to stay till the end. We just talk about how we can score runs in these conditions and how to take the game deep,” he said.