Gujarat Titans won 9 of their 14 league matches this season.
Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 89 runs in Match 66 of IPL 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday (May 21).
Sai Sudharsan (84 off 53), Shubman Gill (64 off 37) and Jos Buttler (57* off 27) struck fluent half-centuries to propel GT to 229/4 in 20 overs after being invited to bat.
Mohammed Siraj (3/26), Rashid Khan (3/18), and Kagiso Rabada (3/32) wreaked havoc with the ball to bundle out CSK for 140 in 13.4 overs. The crushing defeat officially knocked five-time champions out of the playoffs race.
Speaking after the game, GT skipper Gill expressed immense satisfaction, noting that while the team played competitive cricket early on, the win against Delhi Capitals (DC) provided that crucial "extra 5%" of momentum, after which they never looked back.
"Yeah, very important, going into the playoffs, so very happy to go with the momentum that we have. (the win at Delhi, was a bit of a turning point? After that, this team just didn't look back?) Yeah, definitely, but, like, if I look at the games, even the first two games that we played, they were pretty close, so we knew that we are playing very competitive cricket. It's just about adding that extra 5%, and luckily we got that in the Delhi game, and we haven't looked back since," Gill said at the post-match presentation.
When asked about GT bowlers' success at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gill credited the unit for backing themselves and consistently hitting lengths that are difficult to clear over the rope.
“I think it's all about hitting the lengths consistently, and that the odd one, odd good balls are on this kind of wicket, gonna go over the rope. It's about backing yourself and still hitting those lengths on the wicket which are difficult to hit,” he added.
Reflecting on his own batting performance, the Titans skipper stated: “Yeah, definitely very happy with the way I'm batting, was... of course, every time you get out, you always think you could have done something differently, but yeah very pleased with how I'm batting.”
Gill highlighted his team’s improved catching, and called the intense celebrations after taking Shivam Dube’s catch as a release of emotions during a high-stakes game.
“(On the catching) Yeah, it was much better than the last one. Hopefully, we continue to do this.”
“(on the celebrations after the Dube catch) No, nothing. When you're playing such a high-emotion game, sometimes your emotions do come out. So, it was one of those moments for me,” he remarked.
Regarding their consistency, Shubman Gill stressed that the key to success is sticking to the same intent and delivering with the same impact.
“Honestly, it's all about, keeping up with the good things that we have been doing and consistently to be able to deliver game after game with the same impact. That is the key thing for us. And I don't think there's anything more that we can add, but if we can keep doing the things that we are already doing with the same intent and with the same impact, I think we're gonna be good.”
He admitted to feeling a sense of deja vu while coming into this match. “(Difference from last year to this year for you as a captain) Nothing. I mean, after the 12 games, we were at number one last season. So, same for this season as well. We lost the last two games last season. Both the games were here and we played the last game against the same opposition and they scored 230 and I think we got bundled out for 110-120 runs. So, there was some deja vu, going into this match, but I don't think there's anything differently that we have done this season. We were at in the top two consistently last year as well and even this year as well,” Gill said.
Shubman Gill acknowledged the massive, unwavering support for visiting franchises like RCB and CSK at every venue, and thanked the local fans for cheering for GT consistently.
“(Any message for the fans here before you perhaps see them again one more time?) Very grateful for the fans, that turn up and support us. And when you're playing franchisee like RCB and CSK, you know that they're gonna have an edge wherever they play. So, nothing is gonna change for us in that matter,” he concluded.