Shubman Gill was ruled out of Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2026 clash against the Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad on Saturday, and the absence proved costly. With Gujarat falling short of a 211-run chase, the Titans suffered their second defeat of the season, and Rashid Khan captained the side in Gill’s place. Speaking about the skipper’s condition, Rashid said Gill is dealing with a muscle spasm and that a quick return is the hope.
Gill sidelined as Titans slip to another defeat
Gujarat Titans could not sustain their momentum in the run chase, ultimately failing to reach the target of 211. The result compounded the impact of Gill’s unavailability, with the Titans left to regroup without their regular captain.
- Match: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals (IPL 2026)
- Venue/Day: Ahmedabad, Saturday
- Target: 211 runs
- Outcome for GT: Failed to chase; recorded their second loss of IPL 2026
- Leadership: Rashid Khan led the team in Gill’s absence
Rashid Khan on Gill’s muscle spasm
Rashid Khan addressed Gill’s status after the match, explaining that the skipper is managing a muscle spasm and expressing optimism about him being back soon.
“Gill has a muscle spasm. Hopefully, he will be back soon,” Rashid said.
Next fixture and Parthiv Patel’s injury update
Gujarat Titans’ next assignment comes against Delhi Capitals on April 8. Assistant coach Parthiv Patel shared the team’s expectations regarding Gill’s return, pointing to an earlier neck sprain picked up during the India vs South Africa Test in November 2025 and noting that a spasm surfaced a couple of days prior to this IPL game.
Patel said the situation does not appear severe and suggested that Gill should be available for the upcoming match, though he acknowledged that injury management is not his particular area of expertise.
- Upcoming match for GT: vs Delhi Capitals on April 8
- Parthiv Patel said Gill had a neck sprain during the India vs South Africa Test in November 2025
- Patel added that a spasm occurred a couple of days back
- Team expectation: hopeful of Gill being fit for the next game
- Patel’s assessment: “It doesn’t look that serious.”
“Obviously, he had a neck sprain (during the India vs South Africa Test in November 2025), and he had a spasm a couple of days back. We are hoping he’s fit for the upcoming game. It doesn’t look that serious. Injury management is not my forte, but I can definitely tell you that he should be fine,” Parthiv Patel said.
Matthew Hayden praises Gill’s growth as batter and leader
Earlier, Gujarat Titans batting coach Matthew Hayden also spoke positively about Gill’s development, highlighting how the right-handed batter has grown in both craft and captaincy. Hayden credited Gill’s “clarity of thought” and a modern sense of confidence for shaping his progress at the highest level, including in Test cricket.
“Yeah, see, Shubman is a very clear thinker of the game, and that shows he understands cricket very well, especially at the highest level and in Test cricket,” Hayden said.
Hayden further described Gill’s confidence and the swagger associated with today’s generation, saying it gives the impression that the batter is steering his own path. He also emphasized Gill’s team-first approach, noting that even in press interactions he consistently frames things from a collective perspective.
“He brings a lot of confidence. If you like, he brings a bit of swagger of the modern generation, which I really enjoy—that feeling that he’s in control and shaping his own destiny. But any side he plays for, he very unselfishly says—and I’ve watched him across many press conferences like this—that it’s very team-oriented,” the former opener said on Monday.
