Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Gujarat Titans’ openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are the most dominant batting duo in the IPL’s history, and he links their impact directly to the way Rajasthan Royals were forced out in IPL 2026. Pathan’s verdict centres on what he calls a defining moment in Qualifier 2, when the pair built a record stand to set up a comfortable chase.
At a glance
- Irfan Pathan hailed Gujarat Titans openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan as the best IPL opening combination.
- He pointed to their record-breaking Qualifier 2 partnership as the key reason Rajasthan Royals exited IPL 2026.
- The duo struck a 167-run opening stand in 77 deliveries as Gujarat chased 215 in Qualifier 2.
- Gujarat booked a final spot against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
- Pathan said Gill and Sudharsan hold records for the most 100-plus partnerships and the most 50-plus partnerships in IPL history.
- He argued their games complement each other: one rotates strike, the other finds boundaries.
- Pathan added that Rajasthan’s short-pitched tactics in the powerplay played into the pair’s strengths.
- He expects RCB to have a slight edge in the final despite Gujarat’s home advantage in Ahmedabad.
Speaking on JioStar, Pathan said Gill and Sudharsan are “the best batting pair in IPL history”. He highlighted that their numbers across the tournament set them apart, citing the most 100-run partnerships and the most 50-plus stands for any opening duo in IPL records.
For Pathan, the standout feature is not just output but how smoothly the two operate together at the top. He suggested that T20 teams chasing a quick start benefit when both batters are able to impose their style early, with the partnership acting as a constant pressure point for the bowling side.
“In T20 cricket, if you want a flying start, you need both of them at the top,” Pathan said. He added that their skillsets mesh naturally—one keeps the scoreboard moving through strike rotation, while the other consistently turns good deliveries into scoring opportunities.
Qualifier 2: the 167-run platform
Pathan also focused on how the Titans’ openers capitalised on Rajasthan’s tactical missteps during the powerplay. In his view, when bowlers choose to attack with short-pitched deliveries, they end up feeding into the batters’ preferred areas of play.
He specifically referenced Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer as examples of that approach, saying they bowled short and left Gill and Sudharsan ready to cut and punish anything offered at that length. Pathan’s larger point was that Rajasthan’s attempt to unsettle the pair simply made their strengths more effective.
Moving beyond the powerplay, Pathan praised Gill’s intent against both pace and spin. He said the Gujarat skipper’s willingness to move down the pitch makes him difficult to contain, because he can create room and lift the ball over the top when the bowling line and length are slightly off.
According to Pathan, the match was effectively decided inside the opening stand itself. He stressed that even when Yash Raj Punja joined the attack, he delivered at lengths that Gill could work against, and that the 167-run partnership in 77 balls ensured Rajasthan never regained control of the chase.
Looking ahead to the final, Pathan believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru may carry a small advantage, even with Gujarat enjoying conditions in Ahmedabad. His argument centres on RCB’s deeper pool of match-winners and the extra recovery time that comes from qualifying directly to the title match.
Pathan said RCB look like a complete unit when compared with Gujarat, pointing out that RCB have more players in form and a stronger set of proven performers. He also mentioned that their batting runs deep, their bowling has variation, and their fielding can prevent crucial runs—factors that can swing tight finals.
He further underlined that RCB’s preparation time has been longer, having secured direct qualification by winning the first qualifier. Meanwhile, Pathan noted that Gujarat had to earn their spot by playing and winning the second qualifier, which reduces the luxury of time before the summit clash.
Home advantage, but a tough ask
While acknowledging that Gujarat know the Narendra Modi Stadium surroundings well, Pathan warned that handling RCB will not be straightforward. He flagged the challenge of facing Rajat Patidar’s side, suggesting that even if GT start as favourites, the gap between dominance and finals pressure is where tournaments are decided.
“Yes, the Narendra Modi Stadium is Gujarat Titans’ home ground,” Pathan said. He added that GT’s familiarity with conditions will push them into the favourites’ bracket, but he insisted that beating this RCB team will still be a “mountainous task” for Gill and company.
Pathan also reminded that RCB had already beaten Gujarat once in the playoffs, and he expects them to return with the same intensity in the final. In his view, RCB’s hunger to replicate that result—combined with their preparation and balance—could make the title race a stern test for the Titans.
