Gujarat Titans (GT) secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 at Mullanpur on Friday (May 29), setting up the title clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Chasing 215, GT captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a brilliant 104 off 53 balls. He and Sai Sudharsan (58 off 32) stitched together a record 167-run opening partnership to overhaul the target with 8 balls to spare.
Speaking after the game, Gill reflected on his partnership with Sai Sudharsan, noting their clear communication and strategy in deciding which bowler to target. He jokingly mentioned needing to tape Sudharsan's hand after his bizarre back-to-back hit-wicket dismissals.
"(Partnership with Sai Sudharsan) I think we complement each other very well. We understand each other's game very well. And when we are batting out there, our communication is very good. We know one of us has to take down one of the bowlers. And I think we are very good in deciding who's going to take down what bowler," Gill said at the post-match presentation.
"(On Sudharsan's hit-wicket) I don't think I've ever seen anything. No one's seen anything like that, two matches, back to back in a row. The way he got out. I saw some video on social media that taping his hand, I think I'm going to have to do that in the next match," he added.
Gill noted that being in "a kind of zone" allowed him to simply read the ball and pick gaps rather than trying to overpower the bowlers.
"(You seemed calm and composed today) I think it's all about, I was in kind of a zone where I was only looking at the gaps and looking at the bowlers and looking at where I want to hit the ball. I wasn't looking to hit the ball too hard. It was just about see the ball land, see my zones and try to adjust there. (He played as if there were no fielders) That's what happens when you're batting well. You just see the gaps and you middle everything," he stated.
The Royals posted a massive 214/6, largely driven by a dazzling 96 off 47 balls from 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Gill expressed relief at the formidable target, despite admitting the Titans hoped to restrict RR to 180-190.
"I'm very fortunate, you know, we got a... we got a target of 220. At one point it looked like we were gonna restrict them around 180-190, but we got a total and once we got off to a start, we spoke about, I actually wanted to finish the game, quite sad how I got out," he said.
Shubman Gill highlighted that having 6-7 reliable bowling options allows the team flexibility. Because of this depth, they were able to rest Sai Kishore from bowling.
"(On having plenty of bowling options) We're very fortunate, some really great bowlers, and Sai didn't even get to bowl one, which happens because I think we have about 6-7 bowling options. And we also bat quite deep. So I think now it's all about clicking in the final. So hopefully we're gonna have another great team," he remarked.
Looking ahead to the final, Gill expressed excitement about playing at home (Narendra Modi Stadium) and stressed the importance of treating the title clash just like any other match of cricket.
"(Feeling about a home final) The feeling is definitely good. It's one day turnaround, so quick turnaround. So hopefully we all learn and recover tomorrow and then day after go there, see how the wicket is, and then just play another match of cricket. Yes, but I think if you don't play the occasion, it kind of brings the best out of us. And that's what we spoke about even in this game as well, let's take the equation out of the game and let's just try to play a good game of cricket. And as long as we do that, even if we don't end up on the winning side, that's fine," he concluded.
