“Happy to get the win”: Shubman Gill delighted after winning POTM and stroming i – Shubman Gill Century Guides Gujarat Titans to IPL 2026 Final

GT vs RR, IPL 2026 Qualifier 2: Shubman Gill‘s Masterclass Directs Gujarat Titans to the Final

The stakes could not have been higher at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. With a spot in the grand finale of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on the line, the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) locked horns in a thrilling Qualifier 2. In what turned out to be an absolute batting masterclass, GT captain Shubman Gill put on an exhibition of high-class strokeplay, guiding his team to a resounding 7-wicket victory and securing their ticket to the IPL 2026 final.

A Bizarre Double-Toss Start

Before a run was even scored, the match witnessed an unusual moment of drama. The toss had to be conducted twice after the match officials failed to hear the initial call made by Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag. Upon the re-toss, luck favored the Royals as Parag won the toss and elected to bat first. While the Royals decided to stick with an unchanged playing XI, the Gujarat Titans made a strategic adjustment, bringing in left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore to bolster their bowling attack.

Rajasthan Royals Recover to Post a Mammoth Total

Opting to bat first initially looked like a disastrous decision for the Men in Pink. Gujarat’s bowlers struck early, leaving Rajasthan reeling at a precarious 9/2. The dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for just 1 run, and Dhruv Jurel quickly followed him back to the pavilion after scoring only 7. With their backs against the wall, the Royals desperately needed a partnership, and they found it in young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the experienced Ravindra Jadeja.

The duo navigated the initial pressure with immense composure. Sooryavanshi played with absolute freedom, bringing up a sparkling half-century in just 31 deliveries. Meanwhile, Jadeja anchored the other end, contributing a crucial 34 runs before being forced to retire hurt. However, a sudden flurry of wickets meant Jadeja had to return to the crease to steady the ship once more.

Sooryavanshi continued his onslaught, shifting gears effortlessly and putting the GT bowlers on the defensive. Unfortunately, the youngster missed out on a well-deserved century, falling just four runs short on 96. His dismissal did not halt Rajasthan’s momentum, as Ravindra Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira went completely berserk in the final five overs. Ferreira was particularly destructive, smashing an unbeaten 38 off just 11 deliveries, while Jadeja remained undefeated on 45. Thanks to this late-overs carnage, the Royals finished with an imposing total of 214/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

The Gill-Sudharsan Show Demolishes Rajasthan’s Defense

Chasing 215 in a high-pressure playoff game is a daunting task, but Gujarat Titans’ openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan made it look like a walk in the park. The pair came out with positive intent, racing to a 50-run partnership within the first four overs. They capitalized on the powerplay restrictions, motoring to 69/0 after six overs and laying a flawless foundation for the chase.

The runs kept flowing effortlessly as the duo crossed the 100-run partnership milestone. Skipper Shubman Gill led from the front, bringing up his half-century in just 30 balls. Sai Sudharsan was equally impressive, matching his captain shot for shot. However, Sudharsan suffered a bizarre stroke of bad luck when he was dismissed hit-wicket for the second consecutive game, departing for a well-made 58. Their monumental opening partnership of 167 runs had, however, already broken the back of the chase.

Shubman Gill’s Centurial Glory and Post-Match Reflections

With Sudharsan gone, Gill took complete control of the proceedings. The GT captain reached his sensational hundred in a mere 47 deliveries, finishing on a magnificent 104 runs. His innings was a blend of elegant drives, powerful pulls, and smart placement, leaving the Rajasthan bowlers with absolutely no answers. Though Gill fell shortly before the finish line, the experienced Rahul Tewatia ensured there were no late hiccups, scoring a quickfire 17* to seal the 7-wicket victory with overs to spare.

For his match-winning performance, Shubman Gill was deservedly named the Player of the Match. Reflecting on the game and his superb partnership with Sudharsan, Gill shared his thoughts in the post-match presentation:

• On the opening partnership: “There was some confusion there but happy to get the win. We complement each other well, we understand each other very well and when we communicate we know what bowler to take down.”
• On his batting rhythm: “I don’t think I have seen anything, no one has seen anything like that in two matches in a row. It was all about I was in kind of in a zone, I was looking at the bowlers and see the ball, pick my spots to score the runs. That’s what happens when you are batting well.”
• On the team’s balance: “We got a total, and once we got off to a start, I wanted to finish the game. We are very fortunate to have very good bowlers, Sai Kishore didn’t even have a bowl today.”

On to the IPL 2026 Grand Finale

With this emphatic victory, Gujarat Titans have proved why they are one of the most formidable units in the tournament. Their ability to chase down 215 with such clinical precision sends a strong warning to their opponents in the final. Rajasthan Royals, despite putting up a stellar fight and posting a massive total, will lament their bowling execution against an inspired Shubman Gill. As the excitement peaks, all eyes now turn to the grand finale of IPL 2026, where GT will look to lift the coveted trophy once again.