A frightening incident unfolded for Gujarat Titans on Sunday night when players and support staff were forced to evacuate their team bus after a reported short circuit in Ahmedabad.
The incident took place shortly after Gujarat’s defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
According to reports, smoke began spreading inside the bus after an electrical fault caused a short circuit, forcing everyone on board to leave the vehicle immediately.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all members of the traveling party were safely evacuated.
Smoke Inside Bus Triggers Emergency Evacuation
The team was returning to its hotel after the IPL final when the bus reportedly developed an electrical problem.
As smoke started filling parts of the vehicle, players, coaches, and support staff were asked to exit immediately as a precautionary measure.
The bus later broke down completely, leaving the squad waiting by the roadside for a short period.
However, an alternative vehicle was quickly arranged, allowing the team to continue its journey safely.
Thankfully, the situation was brought under control before it escalated further.
Difficult End to Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2026 Campaign
The incident added to what was already a disappointing night for Gujarat Titans.
The franchise entered the final hoping to secure a second IPL title but struggled with the bat against RCB.
After being put under pressure by Bengaluru’s bowlers, Gujarat posted 155/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, RCB chased down the target comfortably, winning by five wickets to successfully defend their IPL crown.
The defeat ended an otherwise competitive season for the Titans.
Travel Challenges Added to a Demanding Week
The bus scare was not the only challenge faced by Gujarat during the final stages of the tournament.
In the days leading up to the final, the team had endured a demanding travel schedule.
The squad traveled from Dharamsala to Mullanpur on May 27 ahead of their Qualifier 2 clash against the Rajasthan Royals.
Subsequently, their planned journey to Ahmedabad on May 30 was delayed because of poor weather conditions in Mullanpur.
As a result, the team reportedly arrived in Ahmedabad only late on Saturday evening, less than 24 hours before the final.
The packed schedule led to discussions about whether travel fatigue may have affected the team’s performance in the championship match.
Vikram Solanki Refuses to Blame Schedule for Final Defeat
Despite the difficult travel conditions, Gujarat Titans’ Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki, made it clear that the franchise would not use fatigue as an excuse.
Speaking after the final, Solanki praised RCB for their performance and accepted that Gujarat’s total was not enough.
He acknowledged that the team could review areas for improvement but stressed that the opposition deserved credit for executing their plans successfully.
Furthermore, he highlighted the fighting spirit shown by Gujarat’s players while attempting to defend a below-par score.
Season Ends With Mixed Emotions for Gujarat Titans
Although the Titans reached another IPL final, the campaign ended on a disappointing note.
The loss denied the franchise a second championship, while the short-circuit incident created an unexpected safety scare just hours after the defeat.
Nevertheless, the most important outcome was that every player and staff member escaped unharmed.
As the team reflects on its IPL 2026 campaign, the focus will now shift toward rebuilding and preparing for another title challenge next season.