Shubman Gill admitted Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2026 final defeat to RCB “hurts deeply” as the skipper thanked fans and vowed the franchise would return stronger next season.
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has finally reacted to his side’s IPL 2026 final loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, admitting the defeat remains painful after coming so close to lifting the trophy.
The Titans fell short against RCB at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 31, ending an impressive campaign on a disappointing note. Two days after the defeat, Gill shared an emotional message reflecting on the heartbreak of missing out on the title despite a strong season.
Addressing fans through social media, the India Test and ODI skipper acknowledged the disappointment while highlighting the lessons the game continues to teach.
“We came so close but could not get over the line. It hurts deeply and the disappointment weighs heavily, but this game that we all love teaches us so much about life,”
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Gill Led Gujarat Titans From The Front
Despite the painful finish, Gill enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his IPL career. The right-handed batter amassed 732 runs from 16 matches and was among the tournament’s leading run-scorers.
One of his standout performances came in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, where he smashed a brilliant 104 to guide Gujarat Titans into the final. The century played a crucial role in helping GT successfully chase a daunting target of 215 in a pressure-filled knockout clash.
Gill’s consistency with the bat once again established him as the backbone of Gujarat’s batting unit throughout the season.
Strong Campaign Ends One Step Short
Apart from his batting heroics, Gill also impressed as captain. Under his leadership, Gujarat Titans secured nine wins from 14 league-stage matches and finished second on the points table.
However, their title hopes suffered an early setback when they lost Qualifier 1 to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Gujarat responded strongly in Qualifier 2 by overcoming Rajasthan Royals to book another shot at the championship.
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The Titans ultimately could not cross the final hurdle against RCB, who claimed a five-wicket victory to successfully defend their title. While the result was a bitter pill to swallow, Gill’s message made it clear that Gujarat Titans are already looking ahead and aiming to return stronger in pursuit of a second IPL crown next season.
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