Ahmedabad: Gujarat Titans’ journey to the IPL 2026 trophy ended in agonising fashion as they fell short in the final, unable to clear the last hurdle despite arriving at the title match as one of the competition’s most reliable sides. Playing at their home venue, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad—where they had already hosted seven matches in the league phase—GT failed to turn familiarity into the decisive edge, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
From early momentum to a final that slipped away
- Gujarat Titans entered the IPL 2026 season among the favourites, but their campaign began with turbulence, losing their opening two matches to Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
- They then regained control quickly, shifting into a dominant rhythm that saw them become one of the front-runners across the tournament.
- GT went on to win 9 of their 14 league games, which earned them a straight path to Qualifier 1.
- Their league-stage highlight reel included a 77-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, an 82-run demolition of Sunrisers Hyderabad, and an 89-run thrashing of Chennai Super Kings, underlining both their batting authority and bowling bite.
- In Qualifier 1, GT were dealt a heavy blow, suffering a 92-run defeat to RCB.
- They responded in style in Qualifier 2, chasing 215 against Rajasthan Royals and producing one of the standout playoff performances of the season to reach the final.
- However, the championship game proved one-sided. Aside from Washington Sundar’s unbeaten half-century, Gujarat’s batting couldn’t gain traction, posting 155/8.
- RCB then chased the target comfortably, finishing with five wickets in hand to lift the IPL 2026 title.
Even with the disappointment of the final, Gujarat Titans once again reinforced why they are among the most successful franchises in the IPL. Since their debut in 2022, GT have reached three finals in five seasons and captured the title in their inaugural campaign under Hardik Pandya.
The Titans’ season was built on consistent big totals and a bowling attack that delivered consistently. Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan and Jason Holder formed the core of their threat throughout IPL 2026, with the unit repeatedly applying pressure at key stages.
GT’s batting blueprint: Gill, Sudharsan and Buttler
A major driver of Gujarat’s success was the impact of their top-order trio—Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler—whose runs set the tone in match after match.
- Gill, the captain, led from the front and finished as the second-highest run-scorer of IPL 2026 with 732 runs in 16 matches. He averaged 45.75, struck at 163.02, and produced one century along with six fifties.
- Sudharsan matched the standard, compiling 722 runs in 17 matches at an average of 45.12 and a strike rate of 157.98. He struck one century and eight half-centuries, which included the most fifties by any batter in the tournament, and topped the fours chart with 75 boundaries.
- Buttler provided explosive finishes, adding 526 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 152.46, including four half-centuries.
Together, Gill, Sudharsan and Buttler amassed 1,980 runs, forming the backbone of GT’s batting line-up.
Jason Holder’s all-round value
Jason Holder proved to be one of Gujarat’s most valuable acquisitions, using his height and ability to generate bounce to trouble batters across the season. He took 17 wickets in 11 matches and frequently stepped in to slow the game down during the middle overs. Holder also stood out in the field, making several impressive catches that swung moments in Gujarat’s favour.
Rabada and Siraj: early strikes that set the tone
Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj delivered one of the most effective new-ball combinations in IPL 2026. Siraj’s knack for tightening the run flow and creating pressure complemented Rabada’s wicket-taking threat, and their partnership repeatedly delivered early breakthroughs.
- Rabada ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets in 17 matches, earning the Purple Cap.
- Siraj also enjoyed a standout season, claiming 19 wickets in 17 matches.
A season of setbacks and a strong recovery
Gujarat’s path to the business end of the tournament was not without difficulties. Their campaign started with back-to-back losses to Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, but they quickly turned the tide by winning three matches in a row.
While there were a few hiccups during the middle phase, GT showed the kind of consistency that matters most when the standings tighten. They won six of their final seven league fixtures to secure a top-two finish and a place in Qualifier 1. After losing to RCB in that match, they bounced back brilliantly, knocking out Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 before ultimately falling short in the final by five wickets.
GT’s IPL journey and what comes next
Gujarat Titans’ recent IPL record now reads:
- 2022 – Champions
- 2023 – Runners up
- 2024 – League stage
- 2025 – Playoffs
- 2026 – Runners up
Reaching three finals in five seasons is a remarkable achievement, but the finale highlighted an area GT may need to strengthen. For much of IPL 2026, Gujarat leaned heavily on Gill, Sudharsan and Buttler. The middle order—featuring Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar and Nishant Sindhu—struggled to deliver steady contributions and often failed to provide the finishing punch needed in high-pressure phases.
If GT can improve that department while keeping the core that has propelled them to repeated title contention, they will remain serious contenders for the IPL 2027 crown.
