IPL 2026: Gill's fiery 43 powers GT to 4-wicket win over RCB
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Ahmedabad: Captain Shubman Gill's explosive 43 off 18 balls paved the way for Gujarat Titans to chase down Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 156 in just 15.5 overs, securing a comfortable four-wicket victory in IPL 2026 Match 42 at Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday.
GT erupted in the chase, with Gill unleashing four boundaries and four sixes. He smashed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a four and six in the first over, then hammered Josh Hazlewood for three fours and two sixes next, propelling GT to 36 without loss after two overs. Sai Sudharsan added a boundary before falling to Bhuvneshwar for 6.
A dropped catch by Jitesh Sharma spared Jos Buttler, who helped GT reach 69/2 at powerplay's end. Bhuvneshwar then removed Gill, caught by Virat Kohli, and later bowled Buttler for 39 off 19. Washington Sundar and Shahrukh Khan pushed past 100, but RCB struck twice in the 11th over.
Rahul Tewatia (27 not out) and Jason Holder steadied the ship. Suyash Sharma dismissed Holder, but Tewatia steered GT home with 25 balls remaining. Bhuvneshwar claimed 3-28, with Romario Shepherd taking 2-30.
Earlier, electing to bowl, GT restricted RCB after a slow start against Mohammed Siraj. Kohli ignited with five straight boundaries off Kagiso Rabada (28 off 13), but Siraj removed Jacob Bethell cheaply and Rabada got Kohli, caught by Rashid Khan.
Devdutt Padikkal's 40 off 24 lifted RCB to 59/2 at powerplay, but wickets tumbled: Rajat Patidar to Arshad Khan (controversial catch by Holder), Jitesh Sharma to Holder, Tim David and Krunal Pandya to Rashid. Padikkal fell to Rashid, and the lower order crumbled—Romario Shepherd 17, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Venkatesh Iyer with cameos.
RCB managed 155 all out in 19.2 overs. Arshad Khan took 3-22, with Rashid (2-19) and Holder (2-29) excelling.
Brief scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 155 all out in 19.2 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 40, Virat Kohli 28; Arshad Khan 3-22, Rashid Khan 2-19, Jason Holder 2-29) lost to Gujarat Titans 158/6 in 15.5 overs (Shubman Gill 43, Jos Buttler 39; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-28, Romario Shepherd 2-30) by four wickets.
(Inputs from IANS)