GT Reach IPL 2026 Final Again, Gill-Led Charge Seals Qualifier 2 Win

Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to book a place in their third IPL final in five years, underlining how close they are to lifting a second title. After winning their first championship in 2022, the franchise has built a reputation for peaking at the right time—and IPL 2026 has followed that script. Following a shaky opening, Gujarat found form in the second half of the league season, finishing second on the points table and now moving within one step of another trophy.

How Gujarat’s IPL 2026 season turned around

Gujarat’s campaign began with uncertainty. In the first phase of IPL 2026, they managed just three wins from their first seven matches, losing four, and even kicked off their schedule with a defeat against Punjab Kings. The shift in momentum arrived after their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. From that point, Gujarat never really looked back: they strung together five consecutive victories and ultimately ended the league stage with nine wins in 14 matches.

• First seven league matches: 3 wins and 4 losses
• Early setback: defeat to Punjab Kings to start the campaign
• Turning point: loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
• Momentum run: five straight wins after that loss
• League stage finish: 9 wins in 14 matches, ending second on the points table

Gill and Sai Sudharsan: the opening punch that defined the chase

Much of Gujarat’s success in IPL 2026 has been tied to their top-order duo of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. In Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, the pair assembled a commanding 167-run opening stand while chasing 215. Gill struck 104 off 53 balls, while Sudharsan added 58 off 32 deliveries, a combination that blunted the pressure of a knockout chase and effectively shifted the match’s direction well before the final overs.

Their consistency has been equally significant across the season. Both batters have crossed the 700-run mark so far: Gill is second in the Orange Cap race with 722 runs, and Sudharsan is not far behind with 710. The context is also notable when compared to last year’s production: in the 2025 campaign, Gujarat reached the playoffs and were beaten by Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator, while Gill and Sudharsan together scored 912 runs in 15 innings—an overall partnership-high for that season. This year, they have already totaled 886 runs in 15 innings, and with one match remaining, they still have a chance to surpass last year’s tally.

Jason Holder’s impact and Gujarat’s bowling engine

Another key reason Gujarat climbed to the summit of the table was the arrival of Jason Holder. Acquired for Rs 7 crore at the IPL 2026 mega auction, Holder initially found himself on the bench during the early stretch. The dynamic changed after the franchise brought him in as a replacement for Glenn Phillips. Once Holder joined the playing XI, Gujarat won five of their next six matches, signalling that his presence had sharpened their balance.

Holder’s batting output has been limited, but his bowling has repeatedly swung matches in Gujarat’s favour. Across 10 matches so far, he has taken 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.54. In Qualifier 2, he produced a decisive spell of 2/27 in four overs, tightening the middle order and holding back runs. In Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he delivered a crucial breakthrough by dismissing both Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal in the same over.

Throughout the league phase, Holder also stood out as one of the tournament’s more economical bowlers. He finished the league stage with 13 wickets from eight matches at an economy rate of 7.34, even in conditions that typically favour batting. At 6’7”, Holder has used his height to create extra bounce, pairing effectively with Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj to dominate during the death overs.

While the opening stand drew attention, Gujarat’s bowling unit often decided games in quieter ways. After an uneven start, their attack became a standout force in IPL 2026—particularly with their new-ball threat. Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj formed the most dangerous opening bowling partnership of the season, driving Gujarat’s rise straight into the final.

• Rabada: 28 wickets, including a record 18 powerplay wickets
• Siraj: 17 wickets and the most dot balls in the tournament
• Together: 31 wickets, repeatedly disrupting top orders

Their best work came in key matchups. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat restricted SRH to 34/4 before dismissing them for 86. Versus Chennai Super Kings, Rabada and Siraj shared six wickets to help Gujarat win by 89 runs. In Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, early strikes reduced RR to 9/2 and set the tone for Gujarat’s march to the final. Their disciplined, “Test-match length” bowling pressure became a foundation of their overall success.

Gujarat’s league campaign: match-by-match record

Gujarat’s first half of IPL 2026 was disappointing. They won only three matches in seven and suffered four defeats. The team began with back-to-back losses to Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, before climbing back with three consecutive wins over Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, they ended the first half by losing their final two games to Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

In the second half, Gujarat delivered the turnaround they needed. They won six of their seven matches, with their only loss coming against Kolkata Knight Riders. That surge helped them finish second in the points table and qualify for Qualifier 1 against RCB.

Playoff path, Qualifier 2 chase, and key player stats

Gujarat Titans’ road to the IPL 2026 final has been a blend of heartbreak and recovery. In Qualifier 1, they suffered a heavy 54-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After conceding 254 runs, Gujarat’s chase fell apart, collapsing to 51/5, and a hit-wicket dismissal by Sai Sudharsan stood out as a strange moment in an otherwise difficult outing.

They responded quickly in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals. Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj struck early to reduce RR to 9/2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi then produced a brilliant 96, but Gujarat still chased down the target of 215 with eight balls to spare. Captain Shubman Gill spearheaded the chase with a superb 104 off 53 balls, steering Gujarat into the final and setting up a blockbuster title rematch against RCB for the IPL 2026 crown.

Top run scorers for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026

• Shubman Gill: 722 runs in 15 innings; highest score 104; 1 hundred, 16 fifties
• Sai Sudharsan: 710 runs in 16 innings; highest score 100; 1 hundred, 18 fifties
• Jos Buttler: 507 runs in 16 innings; highest score 60; 0 hundreds, 4 fifties
• Washington Sundar: 327 runs in 16 matches; highest score 55; 0 hundreds, 2 fifties
• Rahul Tewatia: 183 runs in 15 matches; highest score 68; 0 hundreds, 1 fifty

Top wicket takers for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026

• Kagiso Rabada: 28 wickets in 19 matches; economy 9.43; best bowling 3/25
• Rashid Khan: 19 wickets in 19 matches; economy 9.29; best bowling 4/33
• Mohammed Siraj: 18 wickets in 19 matches; economy 9.06; best bowling 3/26
• Jason Holder: 17 wickets in 10 matches; economy 7.54; best bowling 4/24
• Prasidh Krishna: 16 wickets in 11 matches; economy 10.52; best bowling 2/28