Shubman Gill played one of the great knockout innings in IPL history — a commanding 104 off just 53 balls — to power GT to a 7-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on May 29. GT chased down 215 in just 18.4 overs with 8 balls to spare, setting up a blockbuster IPL 2026 Final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Rajasthan Royals had given themselves something to defend, thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 50 and a battling late contribution from a half-fit Ravindra Jadeja, who retired hurt mid-innings and then returned to add 45 in a remarkable show of character. But on a night when Gill was in this kind of form, no total was ever going to be enough.
Rajasthan Royals Innings: 214/6 in 20.0 Overs
Rajasthan Royals' innings was defined by resilience in the face of difficulty — two key setbacks that threatened to derail them, but a refusal to buckle that ultimately produced a competitive total.
Their powerplay was promising — 70 runs for 2 wickets in 6 overs — with Sooryavanshi providing the early fireworks that have become his trademark throughout this IPL campaign. RR crossed 50 in 4.3 overs (27 balls), and Sooryavanshi challenged a wide in over 4.5 (struck down) as the pressure mounted.
The third-wicket stand between Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ravindra Jadeja then ignited — 50 runs in just 21 balls (Sooryavanshi 30, Jadeja 18, extras 5). At the first strategic timeout (7.2 overs), RR were an encouraging 80/2, Sooryavanshi on 34 and Jadeja on 33 and both in full flow.
Then came the first blow. Ravindra Jadeja retired hurt on 34* from 82/2 — a significant disruption that cost RR a set batter at the crease and shifted the momentum. RR crossed 100 in 8.5 overs (53 balls), but wickets continued to fall as the middle order struggled to fill the void.
At the second strategic timeout (13 overs), RR were in a fragile position at 120/5 — yet Sooryavanshi, who had refused to be rattled throughout, brought up his fifty off 31 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) at that very same timeout. A lone hand of real quality, battling adversity to keep RR's innings alive.
Jadeja then made his return to the crease — a remarkable act of determination — and he and Sooryavanshi put on a sixth-wicket stand of 50 in 26 balls (Sooryavanshi 47, Jadeja 6, no extras), with RR crossing 150 in 15.4 overs (94 balls). GT brought in Rahul Tewatia as an impact player sub for Mohammed Siraj in over 16.6 — a bowling reshuffle to contain the damage.
RR crossed 200 in 19.3 overs (117 balls), and at the innings break posted 214/6 — Jadeja finishing on a fighting 45 and Donovan Ferreira contributing a valuable 38. It was a total with a chance, built on character as much as strokeplay.
RR Impact Player Subs used: Tushar Deshpande (in for Yashasvi Jaiswal, RR innings over 19.6), Sushant Mishra, Aman Rao, Ravi Bishnoi, Shubham Dubey.
Gujarat Titans Innings: 219/3 in 18.4 Overs (Target: 215)
GT's chase was a masterpiece of controlled aggression, with Gill and Sudharsan putting on an opening stand that settled the contest before the halfway point.
The powerplay produced 69 runs with no wickets in 6 overs — GT reaching 50 in just 3.6 overs (24 balls), the first-wicket stand of 50 coming in 24 balls (Sudharsan 20, Gill 22, extras 10). At the first strategic timeout (6 overs), GT were a rock-solid 69/0, Sudharsan on 30 and Gill on 29, both finding the middle of the bat with ease.
GT crossed 100 in 8.4 overs (52 balls), and the opening stand reached 100 in 52 balls (Sudharsan 42, Gill 46, extras 12) — a partnership of breathtaking fluency. Shubman Gill then brought up his fifty off 30 balls — 7 fours and 1 six — and almost immediately after, Sai Sudharsan reached his fifty off just 26 balls (7 fours, 1 six) — twin half-centuries from the opening pair that had RR's bowlers completely at sea.
The 150-run mark arrived in 11.5 overs (71 balls), with the opening stand now having produced 150 runs in 71 balls (Sudharsan 53, Gill 86, extras 13) — one of the great IPL playoff partnerships. And then Gill reached his century — 100 off 47 balls, with 15 fours and 3 sixes — a landmark innings of outrageous quality that sealed the game as a contest.
At the second strategic timeout (15 overs), GT stood at 182/2 — Jos Buttler on 6, with just 33 needed off 30 balls. RR challenged a wide against Tewatia in over 17.4 (struck down) in a last-gasp attempt to slow the flow, but GT wrapped up the chase in the 19th over, finishing 219/3 in 18.4 overs to win by 7 wickets with 8 balls remaining.
GT Impact Player Subs used: Rahul Tewatia (in for Mohammed Siraj, RR innings over 16.6), Glenn Phillips, Kumar Kushagra, Arshad Khan, Anuj Rawat.
Key Performances at a Glance
| Player | Team | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill ? | GT | 104 off 53 balls (15×4, 3×6) — Player of the Match |
| Sai Sudharsan | GT | 53+ off 26 balls (7×4, 1×6), 150-run opening stand |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 50 off 31 balls (6×4, 2×6), lone fighter |
| Ravindra Jadeja | RR | 45, retired hurt and returned — remarkable character |
| Donovan Ferreira | RR | 38, vital late cameo to build total |
IPL 2026 Final: RCB vs GT — Ahmedabad, Sunday May 31
The stage is set for an epic IPL 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 31. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who swept through Qualifier 1 on the back of Rajat Patidar's 93* off 33, will look to defend their IPL title. Gujarat Titans, buoyed by Gill's brilliance and a squad firing on all cylinders, will be looking to deny them.
Two powerhouses. One trophy. Ahmedabad awaits.
Result
Gujarat Titans won by 7 wickets (with 8 balls remaining)
Chasing 215, GT finished at 219/3 in 18.4 overs. Shubman Gill's century — 104 off 53 — was the defining innings of the match and one of the great knockout knocks in recent IPL history. For Rajasthan Royals, an elimination made all the more painful by Jadeja's extraordinary effort despite injury, and Sooryavanshi's consistent brilliance throughout this campaign.