Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 to secure their third IPL final appearance in five seasons. The franchise, one of the most dominant in the league, is now on the verge of winning their second IPL title after lifting the trophy in their inaugural 2022 campaign. The IPL 2026 season has been a rollercoaster for Gujarat, who overcame a tough start to finish second on the points table.
Turnaround After a Rocky Start
In the first phase of IPL 2026, Gujarat won only three of their first seven matches, including a defeat against Punjab Kings. However, the turning point came after a loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. From that point, Gujarat Titans won five consecutive matches and finished the league stage with nine victories in 14 games.
Key Factors Behind Gujarat's Success
Opening Pair: Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan
The opening duo of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan has been the cornerstone of Gujarat's campaign. In Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan, they stitched together a stunning 167-run stand while chasing 215. Gill smashed 104 off 53 balls, while Sudharsan blasted 58 off 32 deliveries, effectively neutralizing the pressure of a knockout game. Both batters crossed the 700-run mark this season, with Gill second in the Orange Cap race (722 runs) and Sudharsan closely behind (710 runs). Last season, the pair scored 912 runs in 15 innings, the highest partnership tally of IPL 2025. This year, they have already accumulated 886 runs in 15 innings, with a chance to surpass that record in the final.
Jason Holder's Inclusion
Jason Holder has been a transformative addition for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. Acquired for Rs 7 crore at the mega auction, he was benched in the first phase but replaced Glenn Phillips to spark a turnaround. In 10 matches, Holder has taken 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.54. In Qualifier 2, he delivered a match-winning spell of 2/27, and in Qualifier 1 against RCB, he dismissed both Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal in the same over. Standing at 6'7", Holder uses his height to extract extra bounce, complementing Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj in the death overs.
Lethal Bowling Powerhouse
Gujarat's bowling unit has dominated despite batting-friendly conditions. Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj formed the most lethal new-ball partnership, with Rabada taking 28 wickets (including a record 18 powerplay wickets) and Siraj contributing 17 wickets with exceptional control. Their biggest performances include reducing Sunrisers Hyderabad to 34/4 before bowling them out for 86, sharing six wickets against Chennai Super Kings, and early strikes in Qualifier 2 that set the tone for the final berth.
Season Summary
Gujarat Titans' first half was disappointing with three wins in seven matches. After back-to-back losses to Rajasthan and Punjab, they won three consecutive matches against Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata, but lost the final two matches of the first half to Mumbai and Bengaluru. The second half saw six wins in seven matches, with the only defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders. They finished second on the points table and qualified for Qualifier 1.
Playoff Journey
In Qualifier 1, Gujarat suffered a heavy 54-run defeat to RCB after conceding 254 runs and collapsing to 51/5. However, they bounced back in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan, with Rabada and Siraj reducing RR to 9/2 early. Despite Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's 96, GT chased down 215 with eight balls to spare, led by Gill's magnificent 104. The final will be a rematch against RCB.
Top Run Getters for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
- Shubman Gill: 722 runs in 15 innings, highest score 104, 1 century, 6 fifties
- Sai Sudharsan: 710 runs in 16 innings, highest score 100, 1 century, 8 fifties
- Jos Buttler: 507 runs in 16 innings, highest score 60, 0 centuries, 4 fifties
- Washington Sundar: 327 runs in 16 matches, highest score 55, 0 centuries, 2 fifties
- Rahul Tewatia: 183 runs in 15 matches, highest score 68, 0 centuries, 1 fifty
Top Wicket Takers for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
- Kagiso Rabada: 28 wickets in 16 matches, economy 9.43, best 3/25
- Rashid Khan: 19 wickets in 16 matches, economy 9.29, best 4/33
- Mohammed Siraj: 18 wickets in 16 matches, economy 9.06, best 3/26
- Jason Holder: 17 wickets in 10 matches, economy 7.54, best 4/24
- Prasidh Krishna: 16 wickets in 11 matches, economy 10.52, best 4/28
Stay updated with IPL Live Score and the latest IPL news. Follow the IPL schedule and track the race for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap.
