Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill produced a historic innings in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, smashing a sensational century against Rajasthan Royals and rewriting the tournament’s record books in the process.
Chasing a daunting target of 215 at Mullanpur on Friday, Gill led from the front with a magnificent 104 off 53 balls, helping Gujarat Titans secure a seven-wicket victory and book their place in the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The stylish opener received excellent support from Sai Sudharsan, who blasted 58 off just 32 deliveries. Together, the duo stitched a record-breaking 167-run opening partnership that effectively took the game away from Rajasthan Royals.
Shubman Gill Creates IPL Playoff History
Gill’s century was not just crucial for Gujarat Titans’ qualification hopes; it also secured him a place in IPL history.
The Gujarat Titans skipper became the first captain ever to score a century in an IPL playoff match, achieving a feat that had eluded some of the league’s biggest names, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The hundred was also Gill’s fifth IPL century overall and arguably one of the most significant knocks of his career given the pressure of a knockout encounter.
Four Major Records Broken By Shubman Gill
During his stunning innings, Gill shattered several IPL milestones.
1. Fastest Century In IPL Playoff History
Gill registered the quickest hundred ever scored in an IPL playoff match, surpassing previous records in the tournament’s knockout stages.
2. Fastest Century By A Gujarat Titans Batter
The century also became the fastest hundred scored by a Gujarat Titans player since the franchise entered the IPL.
3. First Captain To Score A Playoff Century
Gill etched his name into history as the first skipper to reach three figures in an IPL playoff fixture.
4. First Batter With Multiple IPL Playoff Hundreds
The Gujarat captain also became the first player in IPL history to score more than one century in playoff matches.
Gill-Sudharsan Partnership Breaks T20 Record
The opening pair of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan continued their remarkable dominance in T20 cricket by setting another major milestone.
Their 167-run stand against Rajasthan Royals was their 11th century partnership in T20 cricket, allowing them to surpass the legendary Royal Challengers Bengaluru pair of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.
Most Century Partnerships In T20 Cricket
- Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan – 11 century stands (48 innings)
- Chris Gayle & Virat Kohli – 10 century stands (63 innings)
The achievement further underlined the consistency and effectiveness of the Gujarat Titans opening combination.
Highest Partnership In IPL Playoff History
The 167-run opening stand between Gill and Sudharsan also became the highest partnership ever recorded in IPL playoff history.
The duo surpassed the previous record of 159 runs set by Chennai Super Kings batters Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay during the IPL 2011 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Highest Partnerships In IPL Playoffs
- Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan – 167 runs (GT vs RR, 2026)
- Michael Hussey & Murali Vijay – 159 runs (CSK vs RCB, 2011)
The partnership finally ended when Sudharsan was dismissed in unfortunate fashion after being ruled hit-wicket.
Gill Registers Second 700-Plus Run IPL Season
Gill’s century also helped him cross the 700-run mark for the second time in his IPL career.
The Gujarat Titans captain has now scored 722 runs in 15 innings this season at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 163.71, including one century and six half-centuries.
His previous 700-plus season came in IPL 2023 when he amassed an extraordinary 890 runs.
Players With Multiple 700-Plus IPL Seasons
- Virat Kohli – 973 runs (2016), 741 runs (2024)
- Shubman Gill – 890 runs (2023), 722 runs* (2026)
- Sai Sudharsan – 759 runs (2025), 710 runs (2026)
- Chris Gayle – 733 runs (2012), 708 runs (2013)
Gill thus became only the fourth player in IPL history to record multiple 700-plus run seasons.
Gujarat Titans March Into IPL 2026 Final
Thanks to Gill’s masterclass and Sudharsan’s explosive support, Gujarat Titans made light work of a challenging chase and reached their second IPL final.
The franchise will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in what promises to be one of the most anticipated IPL finals in recent years.
With Gill in red-hot form and multiple batting records already under his belt this season, Gujarat Titans will head into the title clash full of confidence.