Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a spectacular century against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2026 in New Chandgarh. His blistering century anchored GT to chase down RR’s formidable target of 214/6, securing their spot in the final. Chasing 215, Gill and Sai Sudharsan formed a century-plus opening partnership that completely took the game away from Rajasthan Royals. Gill became the first GT batsman with the fastest hundred after he broke his own record of scoring 100 in 49 balls against MI in 2023 Qualifier 2.

After losing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel early, the innings was stabilized by a phenomenal 96 off 47 balls from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Although the pitch was tricky and expected to slow down in the second innings, it didn’t as Gill and Sai Sudharshan comfortably led the run chase in the used pitch.

Gill had a sensational IPL 2026 season,as of the tournament's latter stages, he is among the top run-getters and Orange Cap contenders, having amassed over 600 runs with an impressive average well above 40 and a strike rate of nearly 160. Shubman Gill has become the 2nd highest run scorer in the history of IPL playoffs, surpassing MS Dhoni.

“It’s all about getting a good start”- Shubman Gill after GT’s loss against RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) crushed Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs in Qualifier 1, advancing to the IPL 2026 final at Dharamsala. RCB posted the highest-ever playoff total of 254/5, powered by Rajat Patidar's unbeaten 93. GT crumbled in the chase and were bowled out for 162.

When asked about the high run chase, Gill expressed that all of it depends on a good start and good powerplay strategy. GT's top-order collapsed in Qualifier 1. They lost five wickets inside the powerplay—including Gill (9), Sai Sudharsan (14), and Jos Buttler (10). Only a fighting half-century from Rahul Tewatia (68) saved them from embarrassment.

"I mean, it's all about getting a good start, you know. If you get a good power play, and on a ground like this, we know the ball travels, and the outfield is also very quick. So if you had gotten off to a good start in the power play, any target, with the way the wicket was playing and the kind of ground that we were playing at, it could have been chaseable," Gill said.

Gujarat Titans will play their third IPL final, hoping for their second trophy in IPL 2026.