Shubman Gill produced a captain’s innings of the highest standard as Gujarat Titans marched into their third IPL final in five years, cruising to a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday. Chasing 215, Gujarat pulled off the biggest successful chase in franchise IPL history and reached the target with 18.4 overs to spare. The contest began with Rajasthan delivering yet another high-voltage batting show, driven by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who struck 96 off 47 balls to keep the home side firmly in the game. Still, the Titans’ top order overpowered the pressure, building a match-winning platform that turned the knockout tie well before the final overs.
Key takeaways
- Gujarat Titans secured a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, reaching the final for the third time in five seasons.
- Rajasthan made 214/6 batting first, led by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 96 off 47.
- Gujarat chased 215 in 18.4 overs, recording the franchise’s highest successful IPL chase.
- Shubman Gill struck 104 off 53 and registered the quickest hundred in IPL playoffs, reaching the landmark in 47 balls.
- Gill and Sai Sudharsan put on 167 runs together off 77 balls, the highest partnership in IPL playoff history.
- Rajasthan crossed 210 again thanks to Donovan Ferreira, who hit four sixes off the final over, but it was not enough.
Rajasthan’s 214 and Sooryavanshi’s spark
Rajasthan opted to bat first on a used pitch, and the Royals posted a strong total of 214 for 6. At the start, the chase looked far from settled, with Sooryavanshi repeatedly finding ways to score despite the conditions. His 96-ball burst—coming off 47 deliveries—once again proved to be the defining feature of the Royals’ innings. The tone was set early when Rajasthan lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel within the first two overs, falling to Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, respectively.
The surface had already hosted the Eliminator and played slower than usual, prompting Gujarat to attack Sooryavanshi with fuller, body-targeting lengths and quick short balls. Even so, the teenager initially struggled to get fully settled as the ball did not come onto the bat with ease. That challenge didn’t last. He still produced highlight-level hitting, including a straight six off a 153 kmph Rabada delivery that underlined his ability to break through even when the timing wasn’t perfect.
Ravindra Jadeja, promoted to number four, offered crucial steadiness with an unbeaten 45 off 35 balls. Jadeja also faced a tennis elbow problem and briefly had to retire hurt, only to return later in the innings to help guide the middle and death overs alongside Donovan Ferreira.
Sooryavanshi received a lifeline when Sai Sudharsan dropped him at 46. Rajasthan then benefited as the youngster accelerated through the middle overs, taking on Rabada and Jason Holder with fearless intent. With his 97 in the previous game already in mind, another century seemed on the cards, but another dismissal in the 90s arrived. Trying an upper cut against Rabada, Sooryavanshi was caught at third man for 96.
Even after the wicket, Rajasthan appeared poised to finish just under 200 until the final over. Donovan Ferreira changed the equation in one spell, unleashing four sixes and seizing 27 runs from the last over to take Rajasthan beyond 210. Rashid Khan endured one of the roughest overs of his T20 career, but the damage was done—Rajasthan ended on 214 for 6.
Gujarat’s response: Gill’s playoff masterclass
Rajasthan’s late surge still failed to control the outcome once Gujarat began their chase. The Titans’ most decisive weapon was the opening combination of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who dismantled the pursuit with a 167-run partnership off only 77 balls. That stand was not just match-winning—it became the highest partnership in IPL playoff history, effectively ending the contest long before the final overs could turn into a tense finish.
Gill led from the front with a stunning 104 off 53 deliveries. His innings had the hallmarks of timing and placement rather than sheer slogging, and it looked like a throwback to classic batting in a period where raw power often dominates. He repeatedly pierced gaps with control, pulled Jofra Archer confidently despite the pace coming off the surface at speed, and advanced down the track against the spinners with clear command. Gill reached his century in just 47 balls, making it the fastest hundred in IPL playoffs. It was also the first century by a captain in IPL playoffs and the fifth IPL hundred of his career. In addition, Gill became the first batter to score multiple centuries in IPL playoff matches.
Sudharsan complemented him perfectly again, striking 58 off 32 balls as the Titans built momentum without ever letting Rajasthan back into the game. Notably, this was the second straight match in which Sudharsan lost grip of his bat during a shot and ended up getting hit wicket in a bizarre manner—yet he still delivered a key role in the chase.
Gujarat’s win further highlighted their consistency since joining the league in 2022. In just five seasons, they have now reached the final three times and already lifted the title in their debut campaign.
With this victory, Gujarat have now booked a rematch against the defending champions in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad, adding extra edge after their playoff setback against Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier in the run-up.
