Gill wasn't happy with GT's fielding efforts (Courtesy: AFP/PTI)

Best to drop catches now, than in playoffs: Shubman Gill after loss vs KKR

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill could only muster up a wry smile after the defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday. Reacting to the four dropped catches that proved costly in the high-scoring clash, Gill said it was better for his side to have such an off day now rather than during the playoffs.

17 May 2026, 02:49 by Kingshuk Kusari · India Today

In Short

Shubman Gill said GT 'didn't deserve to win' after dropping multiple catches
Allen smashed 93 off 35 balls after being handed reprieves by Gujarat
Parthiv Patel admitted catching made the biggest difference in the 29-run defeat

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill did not shy away from criticising his side's fielding effort after their 29-run defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. After watching Gujarat Titans drop four catches in a costly outing on the field, Gill admitted that his team simply did not deserve to win the contest despite producing a spirited batting effort in the chase.

KKR vs GT, IPL 2026: Highlights | Scorecard

Gill, however, tried to look at the brighter side of the defeat, suggesting that such mistakes were better made now than during the playoffs.

"We set a certain standard and dropping three sitters, we didn't deserve to win this one. Looking at it that way, best to have a game like this now than in the Qualifiers," Gill said after the match.

The Gujarat Titans skipper could only manage a wry smile while reflecting on the fielding lapses that allowed KKR to post a mammoth 247 for 2, a total that eventually proved beyond the visitors despite them finishing with 218 runs on the board.

GT's sloppy fielding effort began early in the innings when they handed Finn Allen multiple reprieves. The aggressive New Zealand batter made Gujarat pay heavily, smashing a sensational 93 off just 35 deliveries with 10 sixes and four boundaries.

Allen was not the only beneficiary of Gujarat's poor catching display.

Young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who went on to score 82 off 44 balls, was also handed a life in the middle overs, while Cameron Green survived another opportunity before contributing a brisk unbeaten 52 off 28 balls.

The trio's assault powered Kolkata Knight Riders to one of their biggest totals of the season and brought an abrupt end to Gujarat Titans' five-match winning streak.

Gill felt the pitch at Eden Gardens was not unmanageable and believed Gujarat would have comfortably stayed in the game had they fielded better.

"Looking at the wicket, 200-210 was par score but we dropped too many catches. Pitch was good, the odd one was stopping but I felt we batted well to get to the score we did. No concerns but our fielding could've been a lot better," Gill explained.

GT assistant coach Parthiv Patel echoed his captain's views during the post-match press conference, saying catching was ultimately the biggest difference between the two sides.

"I think catching is something which obviously made a huge difference. When you are playing high-scoring games against quality batters, you don't get many opportunities. As soon as you get that opportunity, you have to make sure you take it, and I thought that was the difference," Parthiv Patel said after the match.

Despite the defeat, Gujarat Titans still remain strongly placed in the playoff race. However, Saturday's result served as a timely reminder that small lapses in the field can prove decisive during the business end of the tournament.

For Gill, the hope now will be that his team's worst fielding day of the season has come at the right time, before the pressure and stakes rise even higher in the playoffs.

- Ends