Mohammad Kaif admitted he was genuinely struck by Shubman Gill’s display after Gujarat Titans produced a commanding playoff win over Rajasthan Royals on Friday. With the victory, GT booked their spot in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gill’s century played the defining role in that journey. Rajasthan set a target of 215, but Gujarat chased it down with ease in the end, reaching 219/3 in 18.4 overs to win by seven wickets. Gill finished with 104 off 53 balls, smashing 15 fours and three sixes while striking at 196.23 to take the game away from RR.
Gill’s impact didn’t stop at the match. He has climbed to second place in the Orange Cap standings, accumulating 722 runs in 15 appearances at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 163.71. Kaif, who watched the knock unfold from close quarters, highlighted how strongly Gill bounced back, especially after being left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad. Taking to X, the former India batter praised Gill’s ability to remain composed in high-pressure moments, stressing that the do-or-die nature of the playoff didn’t rattle him. Kaif also pointed to Gill’s current momentum in the season’s run race, noting how the opener has turned criticism into performance.
Kaif wrote: “Dropped before T20 World Cup, Shubman Gill keeps calm and lets his bat do the talking. Scores 100 to lead the highest run chase in play offs. 700 plus runs, strike rate of 164, MoM in do-or-die game. Gill comes back with a roar. Next is his first IPL final as captain. What a story.”
The chase ultimately looked comfortable once Gill took control, and Gujarat even had eight balls remaining while finishing the job. However, the first innings had not been straightforward for Rajasthan’s opponents. RR’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a brutal burst of batting, racing to 96 from 47 deliveries and striking at 204.6. His innings included eight fours and seven sixes, giving Rajasthan momentum that looked capable of carrying them to a more daunting total.
Yet Sooryavanshi struggled to get support from the other end as Rajasthan’s batting lineup faltered. Yashasvi Jaiswal managed just 1 before getting out, and Dhruv Jurel followed with a score of 7. While Ravindra Jadeja contributed 45 not out and Donovan Ferreira stayed unbeaten on 38, the rest of the middle order failed to convert starts into meaningful scores. Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag departed for 11 off six balls, and Dasun Shanaka (3) and Jofra Archer (7) also couldn’t add enough to keep RR’s innings building.
Gill’s century, then, arrived as the latest chapter in a standout comeback. The right-hander has faced plenty of scrutiny regarding his form and his standing in international cricket’s shortest format, but he responded in the strongest possible way. Rather than allowing the setbacks to linger, Gill gradually sharpened his game through the season, blending steady output with innings that mattered most. Against Rajasthan, his 104 under pressure showcased exactly what Kaif and others have been looking for—class, calm control, and the ability to dominate when the contest demands it.
