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

A Masterclass at Mullanpur

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 reached a fever pitch at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur during the Qualifier 2 showdown. In what turned out to be a definitive performance, the Gujarat Titans (GT) dismantled the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 7 wickets, booking their ticket to the ultimate stage of the tournament. The match will be remembered for the clinical precision of the Titans’ chase, headlined by a breathtaking century from skipper Shubman Gill.

The Toss Controversy and Early RR Struggles

The high-stakes encounter began with an unusual moment of confusion at the toss. Due to an audible mishap where the match official failed to hear Riyan Parag’s initial call, the toss had to be conducted twice. The second attempt favored the Royals, who elected to bat first. While the Royals retained their squad, the Titans made a strategic adjustment, bringing in R Sai Kishore to bolster their options.

Rajasthan’s start was disastrous. Within the opening overs, they found themselves reeling at 9/2, with both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel dismissed for minimal contributions. However, the innings found stability through a resilient partnership between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravindra Jadeja.

The Royals’ Recovery and Late Surge

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi demonstrated immense composure, bringing up a vital half-century in just 31 deliveries. Ravindra Jadeja, who initially retired hurt after a gritty 34-run knock, returned to the crease to anchor the innings after a flurry of quick wickets. As the death overs approached, the intensity shifted.

Vaibhav, aiming for a century, unfortunately fell for 96 runs, missing a major milestone but providing the platform needed for a massive total. Donovan Ferreira proved to be the ultimate disruptor in the final five overs, smashing an unbeaten 38* off just 11 balls. With Jadeja finishing at 45* not out, the Rajasthan Royals posted a formidable total of 214/6.

Gill and Sudharsan: A Chase for the Ages

The target of 215 demanded an aggressive start, and the Titans provided exactly that. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan dismantled the Royals’ bowling attack from the outset, racing to 50 runs within the first four overs. By the end of the powerplay, the duo had put 69 runs on the board, maintaining a relentless tempo that kept the required run rate under control.

The partnership of 167 runs was a masterclass in tactical batting. Sai Sudharsan, though scoring a brilliant 58, suffered a stroke of misfortune as he was dismissed hit-wicket. However, by that point, the momentum was firmly with Gujarat.

Shubman Gill’s Magnificent Century

Shubman Gill played the innings of his life, reaching his century in only 47 deliveries. His final score of 104 not only silenced critics but effectively ended the contest. Rahul Tewatia provided the finishing touches with a quick-fire 17*, guiding the Titans home with ease.

Reflecting on the victory, the Player of the Match was modest about his performance. “There was some confusion during the toss, but I am just happy to get the win,” Gill shared post-match. “Sai Sudharsan and I complement each other well. We understand each other’s game, and we know exactly which bowlers to target at what time.”

Addressing the intensity of his innings, Gill added, “I felt like I was in a zone. I was focusing purely on the bowlers and the ball, picking my spots effectively. When you are batting well, things seem to fall into place. It was about finishing the game once we got the start we needed.”

Looking Ahead

With this victory, the Gujarat Titans move into the final, exuding confidence in their balanced squad. As Gill noted, the team is fortunate to have a deep roster of bowlers, even noting that they had so much depth that Sai Kishore did not need to bowl on the night. The Titans now turn their focus to the IPL 2026 final, carrying the momentum of a dominant batting performance into the biggest match of the season.