Gujarat Titans Struggle in IPL 2026 Final Against RCB
Gujarat Titans Fall Short in IPL 2026 Final
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 1: Matthew Hayden, the batting coach for Gujarat Titans (GT), expressed disappointment over the team's failure to capitalize on the Powerplay overs during the IPL 2026 final. The Titans, led by Shubman Gill, faced a five-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who successfully defended their title.
Batting first, GT struggled significantly, scoring only 45 runs while losing key players Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan—both of whom were their top scorers this season—during the Powerplay. RCB's disciplined bowling, particularly in the early overs and effective spin later, led to a batting collapse for GT, preventing them from gaining any momentum. Ultimately, the Titans managed to post a total of 155/8 in their 20 overs, a target that RCB chased down comfortably in just 18 overs.
Hayden remarked, “It’s tough to pinpoint a single reason for a season that spans so long. We have exceptional players but struggled to find our rhythm in the Powerplay. Our bowlers performed admirably. This franchise has a strong following that supports Gill, Sai, and Buttler. Our team remains composed and doesn’t rush. Nehra’s calm demeanor is a significant asset. The sense of family within this franchise will serve us well,” he stated post-match.
He also praised Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who concluded the season as the leading run-scorer with 776 runs, and encouraged young players to continue honing their skills and drawing inspiration from their idols.
“My experience as a coach exceeded my expectations. The focus on detailed bowling strategies was impressive. While we tend to be a conservative batting side, we can hit the ball hard when needed. I credit our staff for enabling us to play aggressively and recover swiftly. Understanding the challenges we faced is complex. The IPL showcases emerging talent, and it’s thrilling to witness the extraordinary Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. To all the young players out there, keep playing and learning from your heroes,” Hayden added.
In their innings, GT managed only 155/8 in 20 overs, with Washington Sundar scoring 50* off 37 balls and Nishant Sindhu contributing 20 runs. Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29), and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) consistently took wickets. RCB began strongly with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 off 16 balls) and Virat Kohli.
Despite a spirited effort from GT, who reduced RCB to 132/5 at one stage, Virat Kohli (75* off 42 balls) led RCB to victory with two overs remaining. This marks RCB's second IPL title and their fourth overall in Indian franchise cricket, which includes two Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles.