Gujarat Titans Secure IPL 2026 Final Spot with Dominant Performance Against Rajasthan Royals
Gujarat Titans Triumph in Qualifier 2
In Mullanpur, Punjab, Gujarat Titans' batter Sai Sudharsan praised Shubman Gill's remarkable innings after he scored 104 runs off 53 balls, leading the team to a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2.
While chasing a target of 215 runs, the opening duo of Sudharsan and Gill formed a formidable partnership, amassing 167 runs together. Gill's innings included 15 boundaries and three sixes, while Sudharsan contributed with a quick 58 runs off 32 balls, featuring eight fours and one six.
Post-match, Sudharsan highlighted their effective communication and understanding of the game, commending Gill's extraordinary performance, which he described as 'unbelievable.'
Gill has been a standout performer this season, currently ranking second among the highest run-scorers in IPL 2026 with 722 runs across 15 matches. Sudharsan follows closely in third place with 710 runs in the same number of innings.
Sudharsan reflected on his growth as a player, acknowledging the need for continuous improvement despite his success with the Gujarat Titans. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as they prepare for the final, treating it like any other match.
'Every year, I aim to evolve as a player. I've had a great journey with GT, but there are still areas I need to work on for next season. While the entire team is thrilled about reaching the final, we must keep our feet on the ground and approach it like just another game,' Sudharsan stated.
The Titans advanced to the IPL 2026 final after a thrilling three-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, setting up a championship showdown against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Rajasthan Royals, after a shaky start at 9/2, recovered thanks to a stunning 96 runs off 47 balls from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a late blitz of 38 runs off just 11 balls from Donovan Ferreira. Their efforts propelled RR to a competitive total of 214/6, with Ferreira's explosive final over against Rashid Khan yielding 27 runs, tying the record for the most expensive over bowled by a spinner in IPL playoff history.
In response, the Titans' openers, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, took charge early, achieving a massive 167-run partnership. Gill's century and Sudharsan's quickfire innings helped GT chase down the target in just 18.4 overs, despite losing a few wickets towards the end. Jos Buttler and Rahul Tewatia remained not out, sealing a comfortable victory.