“Prioritise the win first, net run-rate will follow,” says Kagiso Rabada after match-winning spell

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The Gujarat Titans continued their disciplined approach in the Indian Premier League as Kagiso Rabada delivered a standout performance against the Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad. Rabada’s three-wicket haul played a crucial role in restricting KKR to 180, setting up a narrow but important win for GT.

GT’s strategy in the powerplay raised eyebrows, with both Rabada and Mohammed Siraj bowling extended spells upfront. The move paid off as KKR stumbled to 37 for 3, unable to capitalize on the early overs. Rabada later revealed that the decision was based on a careful assessment of the pitch conditions.

Speaking after the match, Rabada explained how the surface influenced their tactics. He noted that while the pitch resembled a typical red-soil wicket, it behaved differently with added moisture, creating a two-paced surface and uneven bounce. This made stroke-making difficult for batters, forcing them to play cautiously rather than aggressively.

Rabada credited his success to his natural strength—extra bounce—which has been a defining feature of his bowling career. He contrasted his style with Siraj’s skiddy approach, highlighting how different conditions favor different bowlers. On pitches offering bounce, Rabada becomes more effective, while lower surfaces tend to suit Siraj better.

Despite a challenging season so far, Rabada’s figures of 3 for 29 marked a strong return to form. His performance also helped GT control the death overs, where KKR managed just 23 runs in the final four overs—well below expectations.

Chasing 181, Gujarat Titans reached the target in 19.4 overs. While the win strengthened their position on the points table, their scoring rate raised questions about net run-rate—a critical factor in tournament standings.

However, Rabada downplayed concerns around net run-rate, emphasizing that winning matches remains the team’s primary objective. He stressed the importance of trusting players to perform according to match situations rather than forcing aggressive play purely to boost numbers.

According to Rabada, momentum plays a bigger role than calculated attempts to improve net run-rate. With several matches still remaining in the season, he expressed confidence that Gujarat Titans have enough depth and skill to accelerate when needed.

As the tournament progresses, GT will look to build on this momentum, balancing tactical discipline with improved scoring efficiency to strengthen their playoff chances.