Sai Sudharsan hails Shubman Gill's "unbelievable" knock in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2
Mullanpur, May 30
Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan hailed Shubman Gill's batting as "unbelievable" after his 53-ball 104-run innings guided the team to the Indian Premier League 2026 final by defeating Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in the Qualifier 2 clash.
Chasing the target of 215, GT openers Sudharsan and Gill compiled a match-winning 167-run partnership to lay a solid foundation for the team's dominant win. While Gill scored 104 (15 boundaries and three sixes), Sudharsan slammed a 32-ball 58-run knock, including eight boundaries and a six.
Speaking after the match, Sudharsan credited his strong partnership with Gill to a clear understanding of match conditions and praised Gill's exceptional performance in the Qualifier 2 win, calling his century "unbelievable".
"[On batting with Gill] I think we understand conditions very well, and understand what to do in this kind of game, and to be very honest, he played unbelievably today," Sudharsan said.
Gill has been among the top run-scorers in the entire season. Currently, he is second on the list of the highest run-getters in the IPL 2026, with 722 runs in 15 innings. Sudharsan, on the other hand, is third with 710 runs in 15 innings.
Sudharsan said his own game continues to evolve each season and acknowledged areas for improvement despite consistent progress with the Gujarat Titans. Sudharsan added that while the team is pleased to reach the final, they remain focused on staying grounded and treating the title match like any other game.
"I think it has to evolve every year. Had a great few years with GT and have kept improving, and this year also there were many points on which I have to improve so will work on that and come back next year. [On getting to the final] Entire dugout is very happy but we just have to ground ourselves and play it like just another game," Sudharsan said.
Gujarat Titans stormed into the IPL 2026 final with a three-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at Mullanpur, setting up a title clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
After being put in to bat, RR recovered from a disastrous 9/2 thanks to a sensational 96 off 47 balls from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and a late unbeaten 38 off just 11 balls by Donovan Ferreira. Their efforts powered RR to a formidable 214/6. Ferreira's late assault included four sixes off Rashid Khan in the final over, which yielded 27 runs - equalling the record for the most expensive over bowled by a spinner in IPL playoffs history.
In reply, GT openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan dominated from the outset with a massive 167-run opening partnership. Gill smashed 104 off 53 balls, while Sudharsan made 58 off 32, helping GT chase down 215 in just 18.4 overs. Despite a few late wickets, GT comfortably sealed victory with Jos Buttler and Rahul Tewatia unbeaten at the finish.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As an RCB fan, I'm both excited and nervous now. GT looks unstoppable with Gill and Sudharsan in this form. But hey, that 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from RR - what a talent! Scoring 96 off 47 at his age is unbelievable. The future of Indian cricket is bright!
Absolutely brilliant from Shubman Gill. He's been carrying GT's batting all season and to deliver a century when it mattered most - that's what champions do. But we have to talk about Rashid Khan's over - 27 runs in the last over? 🤯 That's the most expensive by a spinner in IPL playoffs history. Even legends have bad days.
The way Gill and Sudharsan chased 215 like it was nothing... just pure class. They had a clear plan from ball one and executed it perfectly. And I love how Sudharsan keeps it real - acknowledging he still needs to improve even after scoring 710 runs this season. That's the mindset of a true professional. 💪
People keep talking about Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli as IPL's top batters, but Shubman Gill this season has been on another level entirely. 722 runs in 15 innings, anchoring chases, scoring hundreds - he's becoming the complete package. The final between GT and RCB is going to be epic!
I wish people would stop hyping Gill so much and appreciate his bowling attack too. But seriously, watching him bat is poetry. Timing, placement, power - he has it all. And that partnership with
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