IPL 2024, GT vs KKR highlights: Gujarat Titans knocked out after washout in Ahmedabad; Kolkata Knight Riders confirm top-two finish

Gujarat Titans have been knocked out of the play-off race after rain forced their IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders to be abandoned without a ball bowled in Ahmedabad on Monday.

The two teams took one point each, confirming a top-two finish for table-toppers Kolkata, who remain the only side to have already qualified for the next stage.

The last times Kolkata ended in the top two in the league stage, they went on to win the tournament in 2012 and 2014.

The top four teams will make the play-offs, but the first and second-placed sides have the advantage of two chances to qualify for the final on May 26 in Chennai.

The unseasonal rain in Ahmedabad left thousands of fans disappointed at the world's biggest cricket stadium.

Rain was unrelenting for close to five hours as the two captains eventually shook hands without even going for the toss.

Shubman Gill-led Gujarat, who won the IPL in their debut season in 2022 under Hardik Pandya, joined Mumbai Indians and bottom-placed Punjab Kings to be out of the title race.

Kolkata, led by Shreyas Iyer, have been the team to beat in this edition with 10 wins and 19 points in 13 matches to stay ahead of second-placed Rajasthan Royals.

Six teams including defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru stay in the hunt for the remaining three spots for the play-offs.

It's been a disappointing season for Gujarat Titans overall. After clinching the title in their debut season and finishing as runners-up in the second, they simply haven't found their rhythm this time around.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders have secured their spot in the first Qualifier.

Fireworks illuminate the sky, signaling the conclusion of Titans' home leg, while the players embark on a lap around the ground to express gratitude to the crowd.

Despite the rain, numerous fans have remained, eagerly anticipating some action.

Gujarat Titans have been officially eliminated from the tournament, while Kolkata Knight Riders have secured a top-two finish.

In a touching moment, the two captains exchange ribbons as part of Titans' breast cancer awareness initiative, followed by a handshake to mark the end of the match.

Gujarat Titans knocked out after washout in Ahmedabad; Kolkata Knight Riders confirm top-two finish

Despite the drizzle, the covers are being gradually removed. Many players from both GT and KKR are on the field, although the light rain persists.

GT skipper Shubman Gill is sporting his Purple jersey, a special kit for breast cancer awareness.

It's worth noting that while the larger cover has been taken off, the pitch remains covered for now.

Good news, folks! A loud cheer from the crowd. Covers are coming off.

The rain has eased off. No umbrellas at the moment. Are we going to get a small play tonight?

Let us tell you, the cut-off time is 10:56pm for the start of a five-over game. Fingers crossed!

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill and Ashish Nehra are walking out in the middle. They are having a chat with the officials. It is still drizzling at the moment.

The rain persists, leaving the groundstaff with limited time to prepare. They require approximately 30-40 minutes to ready the ground once the rain ceases, with the cutoff time set at 10:56 PM.

The rainfall has got heavier, prolonging the wait. After the rain ceases, it will take approximately 40-45 minutes to prepare the ground for play.

It's worth noting that 10:56 PM is the latest possible start time for a five-over match.

The drizzle has intensified, casting doubt on the possibility of the game taking place.

In case of a washout, Gujarat Titans will face elimination from IPL 2024. Shubman Gill's team will join Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings as the third team to exit the tournament.

Both teams will be awarded one point each due to the abandoned match.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders, with 19 points, will maintain their position at the top of the table, having already secured qualification for the playoffs.

Oh no! It has started to rain again. More and more covers are on at the moment.

The rain has nearly ceased, and the super-soppers are currently deployed on the field, diligently carrying out their task.

The latest feasible time for a five-over shootout to commence is 10:56 PM.

Good news, folks! Rain has subsided now.

While the pitch remains protected under covers, the outfield likely endured some impact from the rainfall.

However, there's no indication yet of a pitch inspection or a scheduled start time for the match.

The rainfall has intensified, prompting the firm placement of the covers.

It appears to be a substantial downpour, likely causing a significant delay in the start time of this match.

The anticipation prolongs as spectators and players alike wait for the weather to clear.

Bad news, fans! The rain seems to have become heavier at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Currently, a light drizzle persists as the center covers remain securely in place.

Several GT flags, typically displayed atop the stadium's roof, have become dislodged, hanging from various sections of the floodlights, explaining why not all are fully illuminated.

However, there's a gradual transition as one section of the ground emerges from darkness, with the floodlights gradually illuminating the area.

Good news folks! Covers are coming off.

Incessant lightning delays toss in Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders game in Ahmedabad

It seems there's currently no rainfall in Ahmedabad, but there is water collected on the central cover.

Gujarat Titans (GT) will host table topper Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their last home game of the IPL 2024 on Monday.

The two sides have played three times in the IPL with GT winning two.

GT v KKR head-to-head

TOTAL: 3

Gujarat Titans: 2

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1

Talking about the T20 World Cup next month, Miller is looking forward to intense battles with likes of Jasprit Bumrah.

“There are so many good Indian players. But me being a batter facing the bowlers, Bumrah is bowling well at the moment. And he has been a world-class bowler for many years. He's a threat to me, as well as every other batter in the World Cup”

For someone who has the ability to deliver maximum impact, South African batter David Miller reckons averages in T20 cricket will gradually lose relevance and strike rate will be the only barometer of success.

Over the past couple of years, Miller has performed the finisher's role with distinction both for Gujarat Titans and his national team.

With seven scores in excess of 250 plus this IPL season, the batters have taken the power game to the next level, fuelling the strike rate debate.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Shreyas Iyer (c), KS Bharat (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sherfane Rutherford, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora, Chetan Sakariya, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Sakib Hussain, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Allah Ghazanfar and Phil Salt.

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), David Miller, Matthew Wade, Wriddhiman Saha, Kane Williamson, Abhinav Manohar, B. Sai Sudharsan, Darshan Nalkande, Vijay Shankar, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmad, Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma, Azmatullah Omarzai, Umesh Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Sushant Mishra, Kartik Tyagi, Manav Suthar, Spencer Johnson, Sandeep Warrier and BR Sharath.

The venue has proved to be batter-friendly and has witnessed some high-scoring games.

GT have beaten KKR twice in the last three meetings but the hosts can't lower their guard as it was here where Rinku Singh had given them a nightmare when he slammed Yash Dayal for five successive sixes in the final over last year.

KKR, on the other hand, need just one win in their remaining two games to seal a top-two finish after they qualified for the playoffs with an 18-run win over Mumbai Indians in a rain-hit game last night.

Sunil Narine (461 runs & 15 wickets) has carried the team with his all-round brilliance, while fellow West Indian Andre Russell has been another impactful player with 222 runs and 15 wickets this season.

Leg spinner Varun Chakravarthy with 18 wickets in his kitty has been in a good rhythm. Phil Salt too has given the team sensational starts but has been off the boil a bit in the last three innings.

Others such as Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ramandeep Singh have also stepped up when needed as the two-time champions emerged as the most consistent team this season.

But it will again boil down to the top-order batting, which has failed to fire in the last few games before Gill and Sudharsan came up with sensational tons en route a record 210 opening stand.

However, one thing is clear, GT will once again have to play out of their skin and register big wins to keep their mathematical chances alive.

GT's bowling has lacked teeth this season with the pacers inconsistent and spinners leaking runs. But the bowlers did manage to snap three CSK wickets in the first three overs in their last outing.

Mohit Sharma's variations and knuckle balls were effective and Rashid Khan's guile also stood out and they would hope for another good outing.

Shubman Gill's return to form will provide a big boost to Gujarat Titans as they square off against table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders in their must-win IPL game here on Monday.

Gill roared back into form with his fourth IPL hundred to keep GT's slim playoff hopes alive with a comfortable win against Chennai Super Kings at home in their last outing.

Gill and Sai Sudharsan's twin centuries were the cornerstone of the hosts' huge total and their role will be crucial once again as they face KKR, which has become the first team to qualify for the playoffs.

As many as seven teams are still in the race for the playoffs. While Rajasthan Royals (16) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (14) are well-placed at second and third position, three teams -- CSK, Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants -- are at 12 points each.

GT and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are at 10 points and can reach a maximum of 14 points.

With a negative net run-rate, GT's chance are the least and it will take a miracle for the former champions to sneak into the top four.