“Happy to get the win”: Shubman Gill delighted after winning POTM and stroming i – Shubman Gill Century Leads Gujarat Titans to IPL 2026 Final
A Night to Remember in Mullanpur
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur played host to a high-stakes Qualifier 2 encounter between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the TATA Indian Premier League 2026. The match, which eventually turned into a masterclass by Shubman Gill, saw the Gujarat Titans secure a dominant 7-wicket win, punching their ticket to the IPL 2026 final.
Toss Controversy and Initial Struggles
The evening began with a rare moment of confusion during the toss. Due to an inaudible call from Riyan Parag, the match official requested a second attempt. On the second try, the Rajasthan Royals captain won the toss and opted to bat first. While the Royals retained their previous lineup, the Titans made a strategic change by bringing in R. Sai Kishore.
The Royals’ start was catastrophic. Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for just one run, and Dhruv Jurel departed shortly after for 7. At 9/2, the Men in Pink were in dire straits, looking at a potential collapse. However, the innings found stability through a resilient partnership between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravindra Jadeja.
The Royals’ Resurgence
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi anchored the innings with a brilliant fifty off 31 balls. Ravindra Jadeja, who initially retired hurt on 34, returned to the crease to provide crucial support. Despite the loss of wickets, the Royals maintained an aggressive run rate. Vaibhav eventually fell for a spectacular 96, agonizingly close to a century.
The death overs belonged to the duo of Jadeja and Donovan Ferreira. Ferreira played the role of the aggressor, smashing 38* off only 11 balls, while Jadeja finished unbeaten on 45. Their combined efforts propelled the Rajasthan Royals to an imposing total of 214/6 in their 20 overs.
Shubman Gill’s Masterclass
Chasing a daunting target of 215, the Gujarat Titans needed a strong start, and that is exactly what they received. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan treated the bowlers with disdain, racing to 50 runs in just four overs. The pair put on a masterclass in the powerplay, accumulating 69 runs without losing a wicket, and eventually building a 167-run partnership.
Gill reached his half-century in 30 balls and continued to dominate the proceedings. Sai Sudharsan, unfortunately, became a victim of a hit-wicket dismissal for 58, bringing an end to the record-breaking stand. However, Gill was unstoppable. He reached his century in 47 balls, playing a sublime knock of 104 runs that effectively neutralized the Royals’ bowling attack.
The game was fittingly finished by Rahul Tewatia, who remained unbeaten on 17*, guiding the Titans across the line with time to spare.
Post-Match Reflections
Following his spectacular Player of the Match performance, Shubman Gill spoke about the team’s cohesion. “We complement each other well; we understand each other very well, and when we communicate, we know which bowler to take down,” he noted. Reflecting on his form, he added, “I was in a zone. I was looking at the bowlers, seeing the ball clearly, and picking my spots to score the runs.”
Gill expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the strength of the Titans’ lineup. “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 to bowl today,” he concluded. With this resounding win, the Gujarat Titans now turn their eyes toward the ultimate prize in the IPL 2026 final.
