“Happy to get the win”: Shubman Gill delighted after winning POTM and stroming i – Shubman Gill Brilliance Leads Gujarat Titans to IPL 2026 Final

A Commanding Display at Mullanpur

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 reached a crescendo during the Qualifier 2 clash at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. In a match that will be remembered for individual brilliance and tactical shifts, the Gujarat Titans (GT) produced a clinical performance to dismantle the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 7 wickets, securing their spot in the tournament finale.

Toss Controversy and Initial Struggles

The proceedings began with an unusual moment of confusion. During the toss, match officials struggled to hear the initial call from Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag. After a brief delay, the toss was conducted again, resulting in Parag electing to bat first. While the Royals remained unchanged, the Titans opted for a strategic tweak by introducing R Sai Kishore into the playing eleven.

The Royals’ innings started in disastrous fashion. With the new ball moving, the top order collapsed, leaving the side reeling at 9/2. The early departures of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel put immense pressure on the middle order, but a partnership between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravindra Jadeja helped steady the ship. Sooryavanshi was particularly impressive, reaching his fifty in just 31 deliveries.

The Royals’ Late Surge

Despite the early setbacks, the Royals built momentum through a mix of grit and aggression. Ravindra Jadeja, who briefly had to retire hurt, returned to anchor the innings alongside Sooryavanshi. As the partnership neared a century, Sooryavanshi was eventually dismissed for a well-made 96, agonizingly close to a maiden IPL ton. However, the tail-end fireworks were provided by Donovan Ferreira, who smashed an unbeaten 38 off just 11 balls. Aided by Jadeja’s composed 45, the Royals finished with a formidable total of 214/6.

The Shubman Gill Masterclass

Chasing 215, the Gujarat Titans needed a strong start, and that is precisely what they received. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan dictated terms from the first over, racing to 50 runs in just four overs. The duo dominated the powerplay, posting 69/0 and putting the Royals’ bowlers under immense pressure.

Their partnership of 167 runs was the defining feature of the chase. While Sudharsan was unfortunate to be dismissed hit-wicket for 58, his contributions provided the platform for his captain. Gill was in a different league, showcasing a sublime range of strokes to bring up his century in only 47 balls. By the time he reached his 104, the result was all but settled. Rahul Tewatia provided the finishing touches, remaining unbeaten on 17 as the Titans chased down the target with clinical precision.

Reflections from the Player of the Match

Following his spectacular innings, Shubman Gill was named the Player of the Match. Reflecting on the chase, he emphasized the importance of communication. “We complement each other well; we understand each other very well and when we communicate we know what bowler to take down,” Gill explained. He noted that he was simply ‘in the zone,’ carefully observing the bowlers and picking his spots to maximize the scoring opportunities.

Gill also acknowledged the depth of the Gujarat Titans squad, highlighting that even with such a high-scoring encounter, the team’s bowling resources were so deep that they did not need to utilize R Sai Kishore. The victory serves as a testament to the Titans’ resilience and sets the stage for a mouth-watering IPL 2026 final showdown.

As the curtains fall on this encounter, the cricket fraternity continues to applaud the maturity and skill displayed by the young captain, whose century has now put the Gujarat Titans within one victory of lifting the prestigious trophy.