Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill expressed his deep disappointment after his side fell short in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final, stating that the team "came so close but couldn't get over the line" following a five-wicket defeat to back-to-back champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Heartbreaking Loss in Ahmedabad
GT suffered a heartbreaking loss against RCB in the grand finale held in Ahmedabad on May 31, bringing an end to their title campaign at the final hurdle. The defeat was particularly tough for the team and their supporters, as they had fought hard throughout the tournament.
Gill's Instagram Message
Sharing a message on Instagram, Gill reflected on the emotional setback while also highlighting resilience and the spirit of the game. He wrote: "We came so close but couldn't get over the line. It hurts deeply, and the disappointment weighs heavy, but this game that we all love teaches us so much about life. One thing it's taught me is that there is no defeat in losing, as long as we keep coming back and not give up."
Gill also thanked the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season. "I want to thank each and every one of you who stood by us through the highs and the lows. Your energy pushed us to the very end," the Gujarat skipper added.
Match Summary
Coming to the IPL 2026 final match, put to bat first by RCB, GT scored just 155/8 in 20 overs. Washington Sundar was the standout performer with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, including five fours, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 off 18 balls with three fours. Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29), and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) took wickets at regular intervals for RCB.
RCB started their chase well with a 62-run stand between Venkatesh Iyer (32 off 16 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Virat Kohli. GT showed some fight, reducing RCB to 132/5 at one point, but Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, smashing nine fours and three sixes, to guide RCB to a win with two overs to spare.
RCB's Second IPL Title
This victory marked RCB's second IPL title win and overall their fourth Indian franchise cricket trophy, including two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles. The team has established itself as a dominant force in Indian cricket, winning back-to-back IPL championships.
