Gujarat Titans (GT) stormed into the IPL 2026 final after pulling off a magnificent seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Qualifier 2 clash at Mullanpur on Friday (May 29).
Chasing 215, GT openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan dismantled the RR bowling attack right from the Powerplay. The duo combined for a staggering 167-run opening partnership, recording the highest ever partnership for any wicket in an IPL playoff match. Sudharsan set the tone with 58 off 32 balls before getting dismissed in a rare hit-wicket fashion.
Gill remained unstoppable, reaching his fastest-ever IPL century off just 47 deliveries. He finished with a match-winning 104 off 53 balls, studded with 15 boundaries and 3 sixes, before falling LBW to Jofra Archer.
Following the captain’s dismissal, quick-fire closing contributions from Washington Sundar (16 off 9) and Rahul Tewatia (17* off 9) easily guided the Titans across the finish line in 18.4 overs.
Speaking after the game, Sudharsan joked about considering "grip tech" or glue on his gloves after bizarre back-to-back hit-wicket dismissals.
"(Are you going to carry glue or something before going to Ahmedabad?) I think I should try some things. I'm going to try some grip tech now and just bat a few balls and see how it is. (How does it happen twice in two games?) Seriously. Last game it just bounced a few times and hit the stumps. But this game, I just wanted it to hit straight, I think," Sudharsan said in the post-match interview.
The southpaw credited his clear plans with Gill for aggressive play, setting a strong tempo right from the first over to navigate the chase.
"(Batting with Gill) I think the ideas were very clear. The plan was very clear. We were just going after every ball and we were looking to have a very good first over for sure. And so we set the trend very well and it happened very well in the powerplay," Sudharsan remarked.
"(Did you think it was par, chaseable?) Honestly, we didn't give energy to that. We were just looking to just play, just have a very good powerplay to start with. Then we were thinking of how to unfold the game. But we were not thinking whether it's par or over par. I think we were very clear on our plans. We were very clear on ball by ball so that it helped us to reach there," he explained.
Reflecting on his match-defining stand with Gill, Sudharsan said, "Definitely, I think for sure we understand the conditions very well. We understand what to do in this kind of game. And to be honest, he just played unbelievably well today. So that's the answer for that."
He stated that playing for the Titans in previous IPL seasons has provided him with valuable experience to refine his game.
"(How has your batting evolved in the last few years?) I think it's definitely evolved over the years. I had great experience in the first few years with the GT team which gave me some exposure or some experience on what I want to improve. This year there are so many points where I can improve so that I'll work on that and come back," Sudharsan said.
Sai Sudharsan emphasized the importance of treating the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad on May 31 as just another match, keeping things simple, and staying grounded.
"(Your thoughts now into the final?) I think the whole team, the whole dugout is really happy for that. But I think we'll just ground ourselves again and look to do what we are doing the best and just keep all the things simple so that it's just another game, not a big occasion," he concluded.
