Solanki ‘would have liked to have gone one step further’ but still ‘immensely pr’oud of GT’s run

Reflecting on a Hard-Fought Campaign

In the wake of the IPL 2026 final, the cricketing world has turned its attention to the Gujarat Titans, who finished as runners-up to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Vikram Solanki, the director of cricket for the Titans, addressed the media with a blend of professional grace and pride. While acknowledging the disappointment of the final result, Solanki was quick to emphasize that he ‘would have liked to have gone one step further’ but still ‘immensely pr’oud of the collective effort put forth by the group over the course of the season.

Congratulating the Champions

Solanki maintained a magnanimous stance toward the opposition, offering heartfelt congratulations to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He noted that their performance throughout the league stage and the final was nothing short of outstanding. ‘They finished at the top of the table in the league stage and then went on to beat us twice, so we must take that on board,’ Solanki remarked, highlighting the consistency that earned RCB the title. He stressed that while the Titans fell short in the ultimate match, the team has every reason to walk away with their heads held high.

Addressing the Schedule and Fatigue

The road to the final was undeniably grueling for the Titans, particularly after their loss to RCB in Qualifier 1. This necessitated a hectic travel schedule that saw the team play three high-stakes matches in just five days. Arrival in Ahmedabad late on Saturday night left them with less than 20 hours to prepare for the title clash. However, Solanki refused to lean on these logistical hurdles as an excuse for the defeat. He emphasized that in professional sports, teams must be resilient enough to handle such challenges without seeking external justifications.

The Top-Order Reliance Debate

A recurring point of discussion throughout the season was the heavy reliance on the prolific top-order trio of Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. With Gill and Sudharsan both crossing the 700-run mark and establishing a record-breaking number of century partnerships, the dependency was clear to observers. When pushed on this narrative, Solanki expressed a degree of frustration with the constant questioning. He pointed to the fact that the team reached the final, which itself is a testament to the effectiveness of their strategy and the quality of their performance, regardless of how the run-scoring was distributed.

Strategic Decisions and Tactical Shifts

The final saw a tactical shift when Nishant Sindhu was promoted to the No. 3 spot following the early dismissal of the openers. Solanki explained that this move was a judgment call made by head coach Ashish Nehra in consultation with the captain. While the move did not yield the desired result, it highlighted the fluid nature of the team’s decision-making process under pressure. Furthermore, Solanki reflected on the pitch conditions in Ahmedabad, admitting that the team may have slightly miscalculated the ideal winning score. He suggested that 180 would have likely been a more competitive total than the target they ultimately set.

Looking Ahead with Professionalism

Despite the sting of the loss, Solanki recognized the spectacle provided by the match, particularly the performance of Virat Kohli. While he joked that he was not exactly in a celebratory mood regarding Kohli’s innings, he acknowledged the privilege of witnessing such high-caliber cricket. Ultimately, the Gujarat Titans’ journey in 2026 serves as a reminder of the fine margins in T20 cricket. As they move forward, the organization remains committed to building on the successes of this campaign, maintaining the high standards that have made them one of the most formidable units in the IPL.