Gill and Sudharsan set playoff record as Gujarat Titans reach IPL 2026 final
Despite a recurring hit-wicket dismissal for Sudharsan, the opening pair’s 167-run stand guides Gujarat Titans to the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Gujarat Titans have secured their place in the IPL 2026 final after a dominant seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. The win sets up a showdown against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad, following a chase of 215 that stands as the highest successful target in the franchise’s history.
The foundation of the victory was laid by captain Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan, who established a record-breaking 167-run partnership for the first wicket off just 77 balls. This stand is now the highest opening partnership in IPL playoff history, dismantling the Rajasthan bowling attack with precision and power.
Gill scored a match-winning 104 off 53 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes. His innings featured the fastest century in IPL playoff history, achieved with a calm approach that he described as being in a "zone." Gill noted that he focused on finding gaps and reading the bowlers rather than attempting to hit the ball with maximum force, a strategy that allowed him to anchor the chase effectively.
Sudharsan provided immediate support with a rapid 58 off 32 balls before his innings ended in an unusual manner. He was dismissed for a hit-wicket, marking the second consecutive match in which he has been removed in this fashion. Gill acknowledged the peculiarity of the dismissal, stating he had never seen anything quite like it, but maintained that the pair’s understanding and communication remain a key strength for the team.
Post-match, Gill addressed the recurring dismissal with humour, referencing online suggestions that Sudharsan’s hand should be taped to prevent further incidents. "I saw some video on social media that taping his hand, I think I'm going to have to do that in the next match," Gill joked, highlighting the lighthearted atmosphere within the squad despite the high stakes of the qualifier.
Rajasthan Royals had posted a challenging total of 214/6, largely due to a resilient 96 off 47 balls from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The innings was bolstered by Donovan Ferreira’s aggressive 27 runs off Rashid Khan’s final over, which pushed the total beyond the 180-190 range that had seemed likely earlier in the innings. However, the Royals’ early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel within the opening two overs proved costly against Gujarat Titans’ potent opening attack.
Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to field, a decision that ultimately paid dividends as their batsmen comfortably navigated the target. The victory not only advances the team to the final but also reinforces their status as one of the most formidable sides in the tournament, with Gill and Sudharsan’s opening combination proving decisive in critical moments.
