Gill smashed a magnificent 104 off 53 balls while Sudharsan contributed 58 off 32 deliveries as Gujarat chased down Rajasthan Royals\u2019 imposing total of 214\/6 with eight balls to spare in Qualifier 2 at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The duo added 167 runs for the opening wicket, putting Gujarat firmly on course for a seven-wicket victory and a place in Sunday\u2019s title clash against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking after the win, Solanki said the partnership\u2019s success was the result of years of hard work and a willingness to adapt to different match situations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI thought all of their qualities were on display today. And it\u2019s been a good number of years that that partnership has been flourishing. It is on the back of a lot of hard work. I can only imagine all of the work that Shubman has put in throughout his career to get to where he is as far as his batting is concerned. He\u2019s an exceptional young man,\" he told reporters in the post-match press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd sometimes you have to realise he\u2019s still a young man. And to be playing the cricket that he is, to be batting the way he is, is just phenomenal,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gill\u2019s century, his fifth in the IPL, came at a strike rate of over 196 and effectively neutralised Rajasthan\u2019s strong total that had been built around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi\u2019s brilliant 96 and a late assault from Donovan Ferreira.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Solanki also highlighted Sudharsan\u2019s role in the partnership, saying the left-hander\u2019s classical batting style should not be mistaken for a lack of attacking intent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSai is no less so. He might be a little younger in his journey, but you can see that he takes a fine example from Shubman and understands that actually his skills are what you and I might view as batsmanship, the sort of traditional form of batting,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut there is no doubt in my mind that if a situation requires them to up the run rate and the wicket actually suits them playing that way, then they can adapt,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to Solanki, the pair\u2019s versatility across conditions and opposition attacks is what separates them from many other opening combinations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut there is no doubt in my mind that if a situation requires them to up the run rate and the wicket actually suits them playing that way, then they can adapt,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With Gill and Sudharsan once again laying the platform in a pressure knockout game, the Gujarat Titans will now head to Ahmedabad hoping their prolific opening pair can deliver one more decisive performance when they face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n