Vikram Solanki ‘would have liked to have gone one step further’ but still ‘immensely proud’ of GT
Reflecting on a Challenging IPL Campaign
The dust has settled on the IPL 2026 final, and while the Gujarat Titans (GT) did not emerge victorious against a dominant Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the mood in the GT camp remains one of dignified reflection. Vikram Solanki, the director of cricket for the Titans, took the time to address the media following the high-stakes encounter, offering a perspective that balanced competitive disappointment with genuine pride in his team’s overarching performance throughout the season.
A Gracious Defeat
Solanki was quick to shift the focus toward the victors, acknowledging that RCB displayed the consistency required to be champions. “I’ll begin by congratulating RCB. They’ve had an outstanding campaign,” Solanki noted. “They finished at the top of the table in the league stage and then went on to beat us twice, so we must take that on board.” Despite the stinging loss in the final, Solanki emphasized that his side remains resilient. He highlighted that while the team desired the title, the journey itself was a testament to the collective effort of the group.
Overcoming Logistical Hurdles
The road to the final was far from straightforward for Gujarat. A loss in Qualifier 1 held in Dharamsala forced the team into a congested schedule, requiring them to navigate three high-intensity games in the span of just five days. The travel logistics were equally punishing, with the squad only arriving in Ahmedabad late on the eve of the final, leaving them with less than 20 hours to prepare for the championship decider. However, Solanki refused to use fatigue or travel as an excuse for their performance on the field.
“The number of games in a short period of time is challenging, but I’m not going to lean on that at all,” he maintained. “The fact is that RCB have beaten us today, and we must be strong enough to hold our heads high and be proud of the campaign that we’ve put together.”
Addressing the ‘Top-Heavy’ Narrative
Throughout the season, critics often pointed to the Titans’ apparent reliance on their top three batters: Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. The statistical output from these players was undeniable, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan both crossing the 700-run threshold and establishing a record-breaking number of century partnerships in T20 cricket. When questioned about this reliance yet again after the final, Solanki appeared visibly weary of the narrative. He stressed that pointing to an ‘over-reliance’ ignores the reality that the team fought their way to a final, a feat that speaks for itself in terms of the strength of the squad.
Strategic Decisions and Pitch Miscalculations
The final saw a tactical shift in the batting order when Nishant Sindhu was promoted to the No. 3 position following the early loss of the openers. Solanki clarified that this was a judgment call made by head coach Ashish Nehra, acting in consultation with the captain. While the move did not yield the intended result, Solanki defended the collaborative process behind such decisions.
Furthermore, reflecting on the match conditions, Solanki admitted that the team likely misjudged the nature of the pitch. “We probably just made a slight miscalculation of what score was appropriate on that pitch,” he admitted. “I don’t think it was a 200-plus pitch of any sort. I think if we had got somewhere around the 180-mark, that would have been a challenging total.”
Looking Ahead
In the final analysis, the director of cricket acknowledged the brilliance of Virat Kohli, whose composed anchor role was instrumental in RCB’s chase. While Solanki admitted he was not exactly ‘celebrating’ a knock that cost his team the trophy, he acknowledged the privilege of witnessing high-caliber cricket. Ultimately, the Gujarat Titans leave the 2026 season with their heads held high, recognizing that while the championship eluded them this time, the foundation they have built remains robust and full of promise for the future.
