'Take the occasion out': Shubman Gill reveals Gujarat Titans winning formula

Shubman Gill explains how Gujarat Titans easily got past Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2026.IMAGE: Shubman Gill takes a bow after completing a magnificent hundred in the IPL 2026 Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur on Friday. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/ReutersIPL 2026 SCORECARD, Qualifier 2: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Key PointsShubman Gills century propels Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2026 final with a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals.Gills 104 off 53 balls overshadowed Vaibhav Sooryavanshis impressive 96 for Rajasthan Royals.Gujarat Titans opening partnership of 167 runs between Gill and Sai Sudharsan set the foundation for victory.Riyan Parag acknowledged that Rajasthan Royalss score was par, but felt 240 would have been more challenging to defend.Gujarat Titans aim to maintain a fearless approach in the final, focusing on playing good cricket regardless of the outcome.Not playing to the occasion brings out the best in Gujarat Titans, said Shubman Gill, after his side qualified for the final of IPL 2026 with a commanding seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals, in Mullanpur, on Friday.Gill smacked 104 off 53 balls, which included 15 fours and three sixes, to eclipse the first-innings heroics of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi who scored a calculated 96, to power Gujarat Titans to victory in Qualifier 2.Gills Mindset And Gujarat Titans Mantra(The) feeling is really good.

But (a) quick turnaround, so tomorrow (Saturday) well just rest and recover and then go there and assess conditions, Gill told the broadcaster after the match.If you dont play the occasion it brings the best out of us and thats what we spoke about. Lets take the occasion out and play some good cricket. Whether we win or lose, we should play good cricket, he said while revealing GTs mantra. Repeat Of Qualifier 1 In IPL FinalThe IPL final this year will be a repeat of Qualifier 1, in which defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru had beaten Gujarat Titans by 92 runs.GTs win on Friday was built on a 167-run opening stand between Gill and Sai Sudharsan (58), who was dismissed hit-wicket for a second straight match.Key Partnership And Unusual DismissalWe complement each other and each others game very well.

When we are batting out there our communication is very good. One of us has to take down one of the bowlers and we are very good in deciding which bowler to take on, Gill said.I dont think anyone has seen that (hit-wicket) happen in two games. I saw some video on social media about taping his hands, and I think Ill have to do that, he said.Gills Knock And Rajasthan Royals PerspectiveTalking about his knock, Gill said he wanted to finish the game for the Titans.I was in the kind of zone where I was just looking at the gaps and the bowler and see my zone and try to hit it there. Thats what happens when youre batting well; you see the gaps and middle it, Gill said.At one point we thought we could restrict them to 180-190, but they made 210 (214/6)... so we just wanted to get a good start.

I wanted to finish it off but got out.Parags Assessment Of The ScoreRajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag said a score of around 240 would have been challenging.It was a par score; it was defendable. I felt after the heavy roller it got better in the second innings. In the first innings, the bowlers got some grip, and the slower ones did well. I thought 230 would have been a par score (and) a score around 240 would have been challenging, he said.Praise For Sooryavanshi And Royals PerformanceThe Royals captain said Sooryavanshis 96 was a calculated knock.I cant put it into words.

Theres one way where you slog and score many runs. But he doesnt slog; you could see his innings today - he calculates and plays his shots.I cant say how, but hopefully he will go on to do well in his career, do well for the Rajasthan Royals and win us a second title.Riyan praised his side for making the play-offs despite their inexperience.To sum it up in one sentence, there were many positives. We werent supposed to qualify, given that many players were young and inexperienced, but many youngsters performed well and can only improve from here, he said.IPL 2026IPL 2026: Games, Players, Teams