“Happy to get the win”: Shubman Gill delighted after winning POTM and stroming i – Shubman Gill Leads Gujarat Titans to IPL 2026 Final with Stunning Century
A Commanding Display at Mullanpur
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur bore witness to a spectacular display of batting excellence during the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Qualifier 2. In a high-stakes encounter, the Gujarat Titans (GT) showcased their championship credentials by overpowering the Rajasthan Royals (RR) with a seven-wicket victory, effectively booking their ticket to the season finale.
The Toss Controversy and Early Struggles
The evening began with an unusual turn of events at the toss. A moment of confusion ensued when the match official failed to hear Riyan Parag’s initial call. The procedure had to be repeated, with the Royals eventually winning the toss and opting to bat first. While the Royals retained an unchanged side, Gujarat Titans made a strategic adjustment by introducing R. Sai Kishore into their lineup.
The Royals’ decision to bat initially appeared to backfire spectacularly. Their top order faltered under pressure, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for just one run and Dhruv Jurel departing shortly after for seven. Stumbling at 9/2, the Men in Pink were in dire need of a rescue mission, which was duly provided by the partnership of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravindra Jadeja.
A Middle-Order Resurgence
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi anchored the innings, reaching a fluent fifty in just 31 balls. Ravindra Jadeja supported him admirably, contributing 34 runs before being forced to retire hurt. However, as wickets fell, Jadeja returned to the crease, helping to accelerate the scoring. Vaibhav played a magnificent knock, only to be dismissed for 96, agonisingly close to a century.
The death overs saw an explosive display of power hitting. Donovan Ferreira took the role of the aggressor, smashing an unbeaten 38 off just 11 deliveries, while Jadeja remained not out on 45. Together, they propelled the Rajasthan Royals to a formidable total of 214/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Gill-Sudharsan 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 displayed immaculate timing, racing to fifty in just four overs. The duo dominated the powerplay, putting up 69/0, and continued to build a partnership that reached 100 runs with ease. Skipper Shubman Gill reached his own half-century in 30 balls, setting the tone for the remainder of the chase.
Sai Sudharsan’s innings came to an unfortunate end when he was dismissed hit-wicket for 58, bringing an end to a blistering 167-run partnership. However, there was no stopping Gill. The captain reached a breathtaking century in 47 balls, ultimately finishing on 104 not out. Rahul Tewatia provided the finishing touches to ensure a comfortable victory, remaining unbeaten on 17 as the Titans cruised to the target.
Reflections from the Captain
Following his Player of the Match performance, Shubman Gill expressed his satisfaction with the team’s collective effort. Reflecting on the toss confusion and the intensity of the game, Gill noted, “There was some confusion there, but I am happy to get the win. We complement each other well, we understand each other very well, and when we communicate, we know what bowler to take down.”
Gill added, “I don’t think I have seen anything like that in two matches in a row. It was all about being in the zone; I was looking at the bowlers and seeing the ball, picking my spots to score the runs. That is what happens when you are batting well. 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.”
This victory serves as a testament to the Gujarat Titans’ dominance throughout the tournament. As they look ahead to the final, the team will draw confidence from Gill’s leadership and the clinical nature of their pursuit in one of the most important games of the season.
