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In the IPL 2026 match on Saturday, the Gujarat Titans (GT) won the toss and chose to bowl first against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Varun Chakaravarthy made his return from injury for KKR.

After winning the toss, GT captain Shubman Gill explained that the decision to bowl first was influenced by recent rain and the expectation of improving conditions later in the game. He emphasized the strength of their bowling lineup and the importance of not underestimating any opponent, while also noting the benefits of finishing in the top two. Gill confirmed that the team lineup remained unchanged, stating, "We are gonna bowl first. There was a little bit of rain yesterday. We are hoping that it'll get better in the second innings. Our bowling unit has been top-notch. The momentum is with us. This is not the time to take any team lightly. You get one extra match if you finish in the top two. Same team."

Conversely, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane mentioned that the team is focused on winning each match individually and must secure victories in their remaining three games to maintain playoff hopes. He acknowledged KKR's recent good form and expressed a preference to field first due to slight moisture on the pitch. Rahane confirmed Chakaravarthy's fitness and inclusion in the playing eleven, stating, "Taking one game at a time. We have to win three games and see what happens. We've been playing really good cricket, the last five games. We were looking to field as well. There's a little bit of moisture. I don't think it'll change too much. Varun comes in. Varun is fit."

Currently, KKR sits in eighth place on the points table with only four wins from 11 matches. Their recent defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has diminished their chances of making the playoffs. With just three league matches remaining, the three-time champions find themselves in a must-win scenario to keep their playoff aspirations alive.

On the other hand, the Gujarat Titans are having a strong season, positioned second in the standings with eight victories from 12 matches. Riding a five-match winning streak, they enter the final phase with significant momentum and aim to secure a win against KKR to strengthen their position at the top.

KKR's playing eleven includes: Ajinkya Rahane(c), Finn Allen, Angkrish Raghuvanshi(w), Cameron Green, Manish Pandey, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Saurabh Dubey, Kartik Tyagi.

Impact Sub options for KKR: Rovman Powell, Ramandeep Singh, Tejasvi Dahiya, Matheesha Pathirana, Vaibhav Arora.

GT's playing eleven features: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj.

Impact Sub options for GT: Prasidh Krishna, Rahul Tewatia, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Glenn Phillips.