“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 Masterclass at Mullanpur
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur witnessed a masterclass in batting during the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, as Gujarat Titans (GT) secured their spot in the final with a commanding 7-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR). At the heart of this triumph was skipper Shubman Gill, whose superlative century ensured his side chased down a formidable target with relative ease.
The Toss Controversy and Early Struggles
The atmosphere was tense from the very start, characterized by a bizarre incident at the toss. A communication error necessitated a re-toss, as the match official failed to hear Riyan Parag’s initial call. Once settled, the Royals opted to bat first, hoping to set a daunting total. However, their start was disastrous. The Titans’ bowling attack struck early, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal for just one run and Dhruv Jurel for seven, leaving the Men in Pink reeling at 9/2.
Despite the early collapse, the Royals showed resilience. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi anchored the innings with a brilliant 31-ball fifty, while Ravindra Jadeja provided crucial stability with a valuable 34-run contribution before briefly retiring hurt. The partnership between the two kept the scoreboard ticking, effectively neutralizing the early pressure applied by the GT bowlers.
The Final Flourish
As the innings progressed, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi looked poised for a century but fell just short at 96 runs. The final five overs saw a blistering assault from the Royals’ lower order. Donovan Ferreira played a cameo of 38* off only 11 deliveries, while Jadeja returned to the crease to finish unbeaten on 45, propelling the Royals to a competitive total of 214/6.
The Gill-Sudharsan Show
Chasing a target of 215, the Gujarat Titans needed a strong start, and that is exactly what they received. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan treated the Royals’ bowling attack with little respect, reaching their fifty-run partnership in just four overs. The duo looked in pristine touch, taking the score to 69/0 within the powerplay. Their communication and understanding were evident as they orchestrated a massive 167-run partnership.
Sudharsan’s innings ended in an unfortunate manner as he was dismissed hit-wicket for 58. By this point, the foundation was laid, and Gill was well on his way to a milestone. The captain brought up his century in just 47 balls, an innings of pure class that effectively ended the contest. Rahul Tewatia provided the finishing touches, remaining unbeaten on 17* as the Titans crossed the finish line in style.
Reflections from the Player of the Match
Shubman Gill, rightfully named the Player of the Match, reflected on the intensity of the knock and the team’s performance. “There was some confusion there, but I am happy to get the win,” Gill remarked regarding the early toss mishap. Regarding his batting strategy, he added, “It was all about being in a zone. I was looking at the bowlers, picking my spots, and trying to see the ball clearly. We complement each other well; we understand each other and know exactly which bowler to target.”
Gill also took a moment to commend the depth of his squad, noting that the team is fortunate to have such high-quality bowlers at their disposal, even highlighting that Sai Kishore did not need to bowl during the match. This win marks a significant milestone for the Titans, who now look ahead to the final with immense momentum and confidence after such a clinical chase.
As the curtains fall on this thrilling Qualifier, fans and pundits alike have been quick to praise Gill’s leadership and batting prowess. His ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a high strike rate has been the hallmark of his season, and the Gujarat Titans will be looking for more of the same as they prepare for the ultimate showdown of IPL 2026.
