Xplorich
Shubman Gill delivered a captain’s knock of the highest quality as Gujarat Titans stormed into their third IPL final in five seasons with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 on Friday. Chasing a daunting 215, Gujarat completed the highest successful chase in franchise history and did it with remarkable ease, reaching the target in just 18.4 overs. The night began with Rajasthan Royals producing another explosive batting display led by teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose breathtaking 96 off 47 balls once again lit up the tournament. Opting to bat first on a used surface, Rajasthan posted a formidable 214 for 6, a total that initially appeared more than competitive in a knockout clash. But Gujarat Titans’ prolific opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan completely dismantled the chase with a stunning 167-run partnership off only 77 balls. Their stand became the highest partnership in IPL playoff history and effectively killed the contest long before the finish. Gill was the chief architect of the chase with a majestic 104 off 53 deliveries, an innings filled with timing, placement and effortless strokeplay rather than brute force. In an era dominated by raw hitting, Gill’s knock felt like a classical batting exhibition. He repeatedly pierced gaps with precision, pulled Jofra Archer confidently despite the extreme pace and danced down the track against the spinners with complete control. The Gujarat skipper reached his century in just 47 balls, making it the fastest hundred in IPL playoff history. It was also the first century by a captain in IPL playoffs and his fifth IPL hundred overall. Gill became the first batter ever to score multiple centuries in IPL playoff matches. Sai Sudharsan once again played the perfect supporting role with a rapid 58 off 32 balls. Interestingly, for the second consecutive game, Sudharsan lost grip of his bat during a shot and ended up getting hit wicket in bizarre fashion. The victory once again underlined Gujarat Titans’ remarkable consistency since entering the IPL in 2022. In just five seasons, they have now reached the final three times, having already won the title in their debut campaign. For Rajasthan Royals, it was another night where Vaibhav Sooryavanshi almost single-handedly kept them alive. The 15-year-old arrived at the crease after RR lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel inside the opening two overs to Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada. On a pitch that had already hosted the Eliminator and was visibly slower, Gujarat’s bowlers targeted Sooryavanshi with hard lengths into the body and sharp short balls. Early on, he struggled to find fluency as the ball did not come onto the bat easily. Yet even under pressure, the teenager produced astonishing strokes, including a sensational straight six off a 153 kmph Rabada delivery. Ravindra Jadeja, promoted to No. 4, played a crucial stabilising role with an unbeaten 45 off 35 balls. Battling a tennis elbow issue, Jadeja even retired hurt briefly before returning later in the innings to support Donovan Ferreira during the death overs. Sooryavanshi also enjoyed a slice of luck when Sai Sudharsan dropped him on 46. Gujarat paid heavily for the miss as the teenager accelerated brilliantly through the middle overs, taking on Rabada and Jason Holder with fearless strokeplay. Another century looked inevitable after his 97 in the previous match, but heartbreak struck again in the 90s. Attempting an upper cut off Rabada, Sooryavanshi was caught at third man for 96. Even after his dismissal, Rajasthan looked set for a total just below 200 before Donovan Ferreira unleashed complete chaos in the final over. Rashid Khan endured one of the worst overs of his T20 career as Ferreira smashed four sixes to plunder 27 runs from the over and push Rajasthan beyond 210. However, even that proved insufficient once Gill and Sudharsan launched Gujarat Titans’ breathtaking response. After being hammered by Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier in the playoffs, Gujarat have now booked a rematch against the defending champions in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad.
