Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has described the team's defeat in the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a difficult pill to swallow, admitting that they came agonizingly close to the title but failed to finish the job.
Match Summary
In the final held at Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 31, Gujarat Titans lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru by five wickets, concluding their campaign as runners-up. Batting first, GT managed to post 155/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Washington Sundar was the top scorer with an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, which included five boundaries. Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 runs from 18 deliveries, hitting three fours. For RCB, Rasikh Salam Dar was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood each claimed two wickets.
RCB's Chase
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's chase got off to a flying start, with a 62-run opening partnership between Venkatesh Iyer and Virat Kohli. Venkatesh Iyer played a blistering knock of 32 off just 16 balls, smashing four fours and two sixes. Gujarat Titans fought back valiantly, reducing RCB to 132/5, but Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on a magnificent 75 from 42 balls, striking nine fours and three sixes. RCB reached the target with two overs to spare, securing their second IPL title and their fourth major franchise trophy overall, which includes two Women's Premier League championships.
Gill's Emotional Message
In a heartfelt message posted on Instagram, Gill reflected on the loss and expressed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season. "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 wrote. He added, "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."
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