Ahmedabad: Following Gujarat Titans’ defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final, skipper Shubman Gill expressed disappointment while reflecting on what could have been a winning total and the team’s overall performance through the season.

Gill reflects on missed opportunity

After the loss, Gill admitted that his side fell short with the bat and believed a higher total could have made the contest far more competitive. Gujarat Titans posted 155/8 in their allotted 20 overs after being put in to bat, a score that ultimately proved insufficient.

“I think if we had gotten close to 180 or 190, it would have been a good match,” Gill said during the post-match presentation. He noted that while the pitch was not excessively difficult, early wickets disrupted their momentum.

Gill explained that there was slight assistance for fast bowlers in the opening overs, which his team failed to negotiate effectively. “We lost a couple of early wickets and then could not really get going in the middle overs,” he added.

Top-order failure costs Gujarat Titans

The Titans’ usually dependable top order, comprising Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler, failed to deliver on the big stage. Their early dismissals left the middle order with the daunting task of rebuilding under pressure.

Only Washington Sundar showed resilience with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 runs. However, the lack of substantial partnerships meant the innings never gained the required acceleration.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s disciplined bowling attack kept the scoring in check. Rasikh Dar Salam led the effort with three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with two wickets each.

Bowlers put up a fight

Despite the modest total, Gujarat Titans’ bowlers showed commendable spirit while defending the target. They managed to create pressure and picked up crucial wickets to keep the contest alive.

RCB started strongly with a 62-run opening partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. However, the Titans fought back, reducing the opposition to 132/5 at one stage.

Gill highlighted that even a score in the range of 150–160 can be defended if early wickets are taken. “If we get a couple of early wickets in the powerplay, we are always in the game,” he said, acknowledging the bowlers’ efforts in keeping hopes alive.

Kohli leads RCB to glory

The turning point came through a composed innings by Virat Kohli, who remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls. His knock, featuring nine fours and three sixes, ensured Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down the target comfortably with two overs to spare.

Kohli’s experience and calm approach under pressure proved decisive, guiding his side to their second IPL title. The victory also marked their fourth major franchise trophy, including two Women’s Premier League titles.

A season of positives for GT

Despite the final loss, Gill emphasised that the team had much to be proud of. Gujarat Titans reached their second IPL final in five years, underlining their consistency as a franchise.

“The way we kept talking, kept pushing ourselves, and kept challenging ourselves in different areas was commendable,” Gill said. He added that the team continuously worked on improving small aspects of their game.

He also acknowledged that there is always room for growth, regardless of the result. “Even if we had won the trophy, there were still things we needed to work on as a group,” he noted.

Looking ahead

Gill concluded by expressing optimism about the future, stating that the team would learn from the experience and come back stronger. The loss, while disappointing, serves as a valuable lesson for a side that has consistently been among the top performers in the league.

With a strong core and a focus on continuous improvement, Gujarat Titans are expected to remain serious contenders in upcoming seasons.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)