Shubman Gill scores century as Gujarat Titans chase record 215 against Rajasthan Royals in qualifier

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill scored a match-winning century to lead his side to a three-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier two on May 30. Gill described his batting approach during the post-match presentation, saying, “I was in kind of a zone where I was only looking at the gaps and looking at the bowlers and looking at where I want to hit the ball. I wasn’t looking to hit the ball too hard. It was just about seeing the ball land, seeing my zones and trying to adjust there.

That’s what happens when you’re batting well. You just see the gaps, and you middle everything. I’m very fortunate, you know, we got a… we got a target of 220. At one point, it looked like we were gonna restrict them around 180-190, but we got a total, and once we got off to a start, we spoke about, I actually wanted to finish the game, quite sad how I got out.” The win sets up a final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Rajasthan Royals posted 214 for 6 in their 20 overs, powered by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 96 runs off 47 balls, which included eight fours and seven sixes, and a late 38 not out from Donovan Ferreira off 11 balls. In reply, Gill scored 104 runs off 53 balls with 15 fours and three sixes, forming a 167-run partnership with Sai Sudharsan, who contributed 58 runs off 32 balls with eight fours and a six. This chase of 215 runs is the highest target successfully pursued in IPL playoffs history, surpassing Punjab Kings’ 204-run chase against Mumbai Indians in last year’s Qualifier two. It is also Gujarat Titans’ highest IPL run chase to date, exceeding their previous best of 204 against Delhi Capitals in 2025.

Discussing his partnership with Sai Sudharsan, Gill remarked, “When we are batting out there, our communication is very good. We know one of us has to take down one of the bowlers. And I think we are very good at deciding who is going to take down which bowler.” On Sudharsan’s unusual hit wicket dismissal — his second consecutive match dismissed in this manner — Gill commented, “I do not think I have ever seen anything. No one has seen anything like that, two matches, back to back in a row.

The way he got out.” He added that the team is fortunate to have six to seven strong bowling options, noting that Sai Kishore did not bowl an over in this match and emphasised the importance of “clicking in the final.” Regarding the home final, Gill said, “The feeling is definitely good. It is a one-day turnaround, so quick turnaround. So hopefully we all learn and recover tomorrow, and then day after, go there, see how the wicket is, and then just play another match of cricket.” Regarding the title match mindset, he added, “And that is what we spoke about even in this game as well, let us take the equation out of the game and let us just try to play a good game of cricket. And as long as we do that, even if we do not end up on the winning side, that is fine.”