Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill said he was delighted after his side delivered a controlled performance to beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by four wickets in an IPL 2026 encounter on Thursday at Ahmedabad. Gill highlighted how the Titans’ bowling kept the opposition to a below-par 155, making the chase feel straightforward on a good batting track.
Key takeaways
- GT completed the chase of 156 with eight wickets in hand, finishing in 15.4 overs.
- Shubman Gill struck 43 off 18 balls and Jos Buttler made 39 off 19 to kick-start the run chase.
- Rahul Tewatia remained unbeaten on 27 as Rashid Khan helped guide GT home after a few wickets fell in the middle.
- RCB were restricted to 155 in 19.2 overs, with Arshad Khan leading the wickets tally (3/22).
- Jason Holder was named Player of the Match for figures of 2/19 in four overs plus three crucial catches.
- With the victory, GT moved to fifth place in the points table, collecting 10 points from nine matches (five wins).
Gill’s reaction after GT’s four-wicket win
After the match presentation, Gill expressed satisfaction with the result and credited the bowlers for keeping RCB under the 160-run mark on a surface that suited batting. He also shared that his own innings felt effortless, describing it as being “in the zone,” and said he wanted to take the bowlers on rather than play conservatively.
Gill further praised Rahul Tewatia for the finishing role, noting that although GT lost a few additional wickets compared to what they would have expected, contributions came from across the batting unit. He also touched on fielding, stating that while they had not been as sharp in certain phases earlier, the energy shown in the field improved and was important in maintaining control.
Gill’s remarks captured the overall theme of the chase: a strong bowling effort, improved momentum in the field, and a batting mindset that allowed GT to keep moving forward. He also reiterated that Tewatia played an “important” part in getting the game over the line.
Bowling effort sets up an easy chase
Earlier in the game, the Titans’ bowlers did the heavy lifting by holding RCB to 155 within 19.2 overs. Arshad Khan was the most effective, taking 3/22, while Rashid Khan added 2/19. Jason Holder contributed 2/29 as the RCB innings struggled to build a proper acceleration despite the contest being set on a batting-friendly wicket.
In response, GT chased 156 confidently. Gill and Buttler provided the early momentum with quickfire batting, and once the chase was underway, the later overs were managed with Tewatia and Rashid Khan steering things through after some middle-order setbacks. GT reached the target in 15.4 overs to clinch the win.
Player of the Match: Holder’s spell and three catches
Jason Holder received Player of the Match recognition for an impactful four-over spell that returned 2/19. His contribution extended beyond bowling as he also took three key catches, removing Rajat Patidar, Tim David, and Krunal Pandya—turning points that tilted the contest in GT’s favour.
Patidar’s dismissal stood out in particular. After a short ball from Arshad Khan, Patidar went for a pull shot but produced a top edge that floated toward deep backward square leg. Holder moved quickly to his right and completed a sharp low catch, with Kagiso Rabada also charging in as the play unfolded.
RCB players challenged the decision, arguing Holder was not fully under control and that the ball might have touched the ground. However, the umpires ruled it out as a clean catch, confirming Patidar’s dismissal.
Holder said he was pleased with his overall performance and pointed to the team’s strong energy as a key factor in their success. Speaking specifically about the catch, he explained that he saw Rabada nearby but felt confident taking the ball anyway. Holder added that he is comfortable with whatever comes during a match, is happy to seize chances, and was glad to contribute to getting GT over the line.
Holder’s post-match comments underlined the same message as the rest of the night: disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and timely batting that ensured the chase stayed within GT’s control from start to finish.
