Shubman Gill equals Samson with fifth IPL hundred, blows RR away in Qualifier 2
Shubman Gill smashed a 47-ball century as Gujarat Titans dominated the chase of 215 against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 at Mullanpur. The GT captain's fifth IPL hundred drew him level with Sanju Samson on the all-time list and effectively knocked the wind out of Rajasthan's challenge.
Shubman Gill stood tall when Gujarat Titans needed him most, producing a superb century to put his side on the brink of the IPL 2026 final in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals at Mullanpur. Chasing a daunting target, the Titans captain took charge from the outset and brought up his hundred in just 47 balls.
It was his fifth IPL century, drawing him level with Sanju Samson, and the fastest hundred ever scored by a Gujarat Titans batter. The hundred also set a new IPL Playoffs record. Gill's 47-ball ton went past his own mark of a 49-ball century, scored during his unbeaten 129 against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 of the 2023 season.
GT vs RR, Qualifier 2: UPDATES | SCORECARD
Playing close to home on the outskirts of Chandigarh, Gill looked in complete control throughout the chase. He reached the milestone by stepping out to Ravindra Jadeja and lofting him over the infield, a shot he had used effectively against the left-arm spinner during the innings. With this knock, Gill became the first player in IPL history to score two centuries in the Playoffs, having also made a hundred in Qualifier 2 in 2023.
As the hundred arrived, Gill removed his helmet, raised his arms towards the crowd and took a bow. It was a celebration befitting the occasion and the quality of the innings. Gujarat had been set a challenging target of 215, but their captain ensured the chase never drifted out of control, combining elegance with authority at the crease.
Chasing 215, Gujarat made a dream start through Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Rajasthan's decision to hand Jofra Archer the new ball backfired as the England pacer leaked 19 runs in the opening over, offering width to Sudharsan and straying onto Gill's pads. The Titans openers capitalised immediately and never allowed Rajasthan's bowlers to settle.
The pair raced to 69 without loss in the Powerplay before continuing their assault after the fielding restrictions. Gill and Sudharsan added another 22 runs in the two overs following the Powerplay, keeping the scoreboard moving without taking undue risks. By the end of eight overs, Gujarat had surged to 91 for no loss.
Gill reached his half-century in 30 balls, launching Tushar Deshpande for a six and a four in the ninth over before adding two more boundaries. Sudharsan matched his partner's tempo, bringing up his fifty off just 26 deliveries with a towering six over long-off. The left-hander also crossed the 700-run mark for the season as he continued his pursuit of the Orange Cap.
The partnership was significant beyond the match situation. During their stand, Gill and Sudharsan moved past Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle to become the second-highest scoring batting pair in IPL history. Only Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have accumulated more runs together in the tournament.
The duo then etched their names into the playoff record books. Their 160-run opening stand became the highest partnership in IPL playoff history, surpassing the 159-run stand between Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay in the 2011 final.
Sudharsan's entertaining knock ended in bizarre fashion. Having scored 58 off 32 balls, he was dismissed hit wicket when his bat slipped out of his hands while attempting a powerful square shot and crashed into the stumps. Remarkably, it was his second successive hit-wicket dismissal after suffering a similar fate in Gujarat's previous outing.
By then, however, Rajasthan's hopes were hanging by a thread.
Gill ensured there would be no comeback. The Gujarat captain mixed power with precision, repeatedly finding gaps and punishing anything overpitched. He brought up his century in style, dancing down the track and lofting a full delivery over cover, sparking celebrations in the Titans dugout.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Shubman Gill stood tall when Gujarat Titans needed him most, producing a superb century to put his side on the brink of the IPL 2026 final in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals at Mullanpur. Chasing a daunting target, the Titans captain took charge from the outset and brought up his hundred in just 47 balls.
It was his fifth IPL century, drawing him level with Sanju Samson, and the fastest hundred ever scored by a Gujarat Titans batter. The hundred also set a new IPL Playoffs record. Gill's 47-ball ton went past his own mark of a 49-ball century, scored during his unbeaten 129 against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 of the 2023 season.
GT vs RR, Qualifier 2: UPDATES | SCORECARD
Playing close to home on the outskirts of Chandigarh, Gill looked in complete control throughout the chase. He reached the milestone by stepping out to Ravindra Jadeja and lofting him over the infield, a shot he had used effectively against the left-arm spinner during the innings. With this knock, Gill became the first player in IPL history to score two centuries in the Playoffs, having also made a hundred in Qualifier 2 in 2023.
As the hundred arrived, Gill removed his helmet, raised his arms towards the crowd and took a bow. It was a celebration befitting the occasion and the quality of the innings. Gujarat had been set a challenging target of 215, but their captain ensured the chase never drifted out of control, combining elegance with authority at the crease.
Chasing 215, Gujarat made a dream start through Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Rajasthan's decision to hand Jofra Archer the new ball backfired as the England pacer leaked 19 runs in the opening over, offering width to Sudharsan and straying onto Gill's pads. The Titans openers capitalised immediately and never allowed Rajasthan's bowlers to settle.
The pair raced to 69 without loss in the Powerplay before continuing their assault after the fielding restrictions. Gill and Sudharsan added another 22 runs in the two overs following the Powerplay, keeping the scoreboard moving without taking undue risks. By the end of eight overs, Gujarat had surged to 91 for no loss.
Gill reached his half-century in 30 balls, launching Tushar Deshpande for a six and a four in the ninth over before adding two more boundaries. Sudharsan matched his partner's tempo, bringing up his fifty off just 26 deliveries with a towering six over long-off. The left-hander also crossed the 700-run mark for the season as he continued his pursuit of the Orange Cap.
The partnership was significant beyond the match situation. During their stand, Gill and Sudharsan moved past Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle to become the second-highest scoring batting pair in IPL history. Only Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have accumulated more runs together in the tournament.
The duo then etched their names into the playoff record books. Their 160-run opening stand became the highest partnership in IPL playoff history, surpassing the 159-run stand between Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay in the 2011 final.
Sudharsan's entertaining knock ended in bizarre fashion. Having scored 58 off 32 balls, he was dismissed hit wicket when his bat slipped out of his hands while attempting a powerful square shot and crashed into the stumps. Remarkably, it was his second successive hit-wicket dismissal after suffering a similar fate in Gujarat's previous outing.
By then, however, Rajasthan's hopes were hanging by a thread.
Gill ensured there would be no comeback. The Gujarat captain mixed power with precision, repeatedly finding gaps and punishing anything overpitched. He brought up his century in style, dancing down the track and lofting a full delivery over cover, sparking celebrations in the Titans dugout.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
