Shubman Gill shared a moving celebration with his parents after Gujarat Titans booked their place in the IPL 2026 final in Chandigarh on Friday. In the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, the GT captain produced a stunning 104 off 53 balls to help his side chase 214 successfully with eight overs left and seven wickets in hand.
Key takeaways
- Gujarat Titans reached the IPL 2026 final after defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 in Chandigarh.
- Shubman Gill struck 104 off 53 deliveries, featuring 15 fours and three sixes.
- GT chased down a 214-run target with eight balls remaining and seven wickets left.
- Gill’s 104 helped surpass Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 96, which had been the standout effort in the first innings.
- GT will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final at Ahmedabad on Sunday, having lost to RCB by 92 runs in Qualifier 1.
Gill’s century powers GT’s chase
Gill’s big knock was central to Gujarat’s chase of 214. He struck at a rapid pace to finish with 104 runs off 53 balls, smashing 15 boundaries and clearing the ropes three times. His innings carried GT past the challenge set by Rajasthan, whose batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had made 96 as the leading score in the first innings.
After the match, Gill spoke about the need to reset quickly before the final. He said the team would take a short turnaround to rest and recover on Saturday, then assess the conditions ahead of the summit clash.
Gill also explained GT’s approach to handling the occasion. He suggested that playing with the right mindset is what brings out the best in the group, adding that the focus should be on executing well regardless of the result.
Family celebration goes viral; GT’s momentum continues
As the celebrations spilled onto the stadium floor, Gill was seen sharing the moment with his parents. A clip doing the rounds on social media captured Gill’s father, Lakhwinder Singh, dancing with both his son and wife. Gill initially appeared shy, and he quickly asked his father to stop, turning the scene into a light-hearted, endearing moment for fans.
Gill’s century also built on a strong start by GT. The chase was set up through a 167-run opening partnership between Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who contributed 58. Sudharsan was dismissed hit-wicket for the second consecutive game, but the platform provided by the opening pair allowed the chase to stay on track.
Gill described the chemistry between him and Sudharsan, saying they complement each other’s games. He added that communication during batting has been strong and that the pair are effective in deciding which bowler to target, with at least one of them taking on the challenge presented by the opposition.
Final setup: repeat of Qualifier 1
The IPL final this year will mirror the earlier Qualifier 1 meeting between the two teams. In that match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru had beaten Gujarat Titans by 92 runs, setting up a rematch at Ahmedabad on Sunday where GT will look to turn the tables.
