Shubman Gill’s calm message to GT ahead of IPL final vs RCB after match-winning ton: 'Don't play the occasion'

Shubman Gill has shared a message for his Gujarat Titans teammates ahead of the IPL 2026 final against Bengaluru. He guided his team to the summit clash with his match-winning century in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, where GT chased 215.

Shubman Gill smashed a match-winning ton as GT reached the final yet again. Image: JioHotstar

FirstCricket Staff|May 30, 2026, 00:21:40 IST

Shubman Gill has asked his Gujarat Titans teammates to treat the IPL final like just another match, stressing the importance of not getting carried away by the pressure of the occasion ahead of the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Speaking after GT’s dominant seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2 in New Chandigarh, where he smashed a brilliant 104 off 53 balls to guide his team into the final, Gill said the focus should remain on playing good cricket rather than thinking about the occasion.

“Yes, but I think if you don't play the occasion, it kind of brings the best out of us, and that's what we spoke about even in this game as well,” Gill said. “Let's take the equation out of the game and let's just try to play good game of cricket and as long as we do that, even if we don't end up on the winning side, that's fine, but at least we gave our best.”

Gill plays a match-winning knock

Gill’s message came after GT chased down a tough target of 215 against RR with 8 balls remaining. Sai Sudharsan smashed 58 off 32 before falling in a rare hit-wicket dismissal. The GT captain himself anchored the chase with authority, stitching key partnerships and keeping the required rate under control throughout the innings.

His knock earned him the Player of the Match award. GT will now face RCB in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on May 31.

Earlier, RR smashed a competitive 214/6 thanks to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's another great knock of 96 off 47 balls. He had scored 97 runs in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad to help RR win. However, Sooryavanshi's valiant knock under pressure went in vain as RR lost the Qualifier 2.

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