Record-Breaking Chase: Shubman Gill’s Magnificent Century Powers Gujarat Titans into Third IPL Final

The Gujarat Titans (GT) have emphatically stamped their authority on the IPL once again, storming into their third final in five seasons. Executing the highest successful run chase in franchise and playoff history, the Titans dismantled the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by seven wickets in Qualifier 2 on Friday night.

Chasing a massive target of 215, Gujarat made a mockery of the required run rate, cruising to the finish line with eight balls to spare. The commanding victory sets up a blockbuster summit clash against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), this Sunday.

A Captain’s Masterclass

The foundation of the historic chase was laid by a breathtaking 167-run opening partnership off just 77 deliveries between skipper Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. The stand effectively killed the contest in the first half of the innings, becoming the highest partnership in IPL playoff history.

Gill was the undisputed architect of the victory, crafting a majestic 104 off 53 deliveries. In a format often dominated by brute force, the GT skipper put on a classical exhibition of timing, placement, and effortless strokeplay. He pierced the gaps with laser precision, confidently pulled Jofra Archer despite the extreme pace, and danced down the track to neutralize the spinners.

Historic Milestone: Gill reached his century in just 47 balls-the fastest hundred ever recorded in an IPL playoff. He also became the first captain to score a playoff century and the first batter in history to register multiple hundreds in IPL knockout matches.

At the other end, Sai Sudharsan played the perfect anchor, smashing a rapid 58 off 32 balls. However, his dismissal provided a bizarre moment of comic relief: for the second consecutive game, Sudharsan lost his grip on the bat while attempting a shot and was dismissed hit-wicket.

Heartbreak for the Teenage Prodigy

For the Rajasthan Royals, the night belonged to 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who almost single-handedly kept his team in the fight.

Walking into a crisis after RR lost openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel inside the first two overs to Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, the teenager faced a hostile barrage. The Gujarat pacers continuously targeted him with sharp short balls aimed at the body on a visibly slower, used surface.

Despite struggling early on, Sooryavanshi quickly found his rhythm, producing astonishing strokes-including a jaw-dropping straight six off a 153 kmph delivery from Rabada. Capitalizing on a dropped catch by Sudharsan when he was on 46, the youngster accelerated brilliantly through the middle overs.

Another century looked inevitable for the teenager following his 97 in the previous match. However, heartbreak struck in the 90s once again when he attempted an upper-cut off Rabada and was caught at third man for a phenomenal 96 off 47 balls.

The Late Fireworks Fall Short

Following Sooryavanshi’s dismissal, veteran Ravindra Jadeja-promoted to No. 4-played a vital stabilizing role. Despite battling a tennis elbow injury that forced him to briefly retire hurt, Jadeja returned to finish unbeaten on 45 off 35 balls.

The innings ended with absolute chaos in the final over. Donovan Ferreira unleashed a brutal assault on Rashid Khan, smashing four sixes to plunder 27 runs, pushing Rajasthan to a formidable 214 for 6.

Ultimately, Ferreira’s late heroics proved insufficient against the clinical brilliance of Gill and Sudharsan. The Gujarat Titans will now stay in Ahmedabad as they prepare for a highly anticipated rematch against RCB in the IPL 2026 Final.

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