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

Reflecting on a Hard-Fought Campaign

In the aftermath of the IPL 2026 final, the cricketing world witnessed a display of grace and sportsmanship from the Gujarat Titans camp. Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki, faced the media with a composed demeanor, choosing to highlight the achievements of his squad rather than dwelling on the disappointment of falling at the final hurdle. The Gujarat Titans, having navigated a grueling season, ultimately succumbed to a determined Royal Challengers Bengaluru side.

Solanki’s immediate reaction was one of professional respect for the champions. “I’ll begin by congratulating RCB. They’ve had an outstanding campaign,” Solanki noted. “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. As far as our campaign is concerned, we’re immensely proud as a group of what we’ve achieved.”

Overcoming the Schedule and Fatigue

The road to the final for the Titans was far from straightforward. A loss to RCB in Qualifier 1 held in Dharamsala forced a challenging logistical hurdle. The team faced a packed schedule, playing three high-stakes matches in just five days. The final stretch saw them arriving in Ahmedabad late on Saturday night, leaving them less than 20 hours to recover and prepare for the biggest match of the season.

Despite these clear disadvantages, Solanki refused to use the demanding schedule as a crutch for the loss. “The number of games in a short period of time is challenging,” he explained. “Of course it is at the end of a campaign, but I’m not going to lean on that at all. The fact is that RCB have beaten us today, and we must be strong enough to hold our heads high.”

Addressing the ‘Over-Reliance’ Narrative

One of the most persistent storylines surrounding the Gujarat Titans throughout 2026 was their perceived dependency on the top three batters: Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. With Gill and Sai Sudharsan both crossing the 700-run mark and setting a record for the most century partnerships in T20 cricket, critics were quick to point out a lack of depth in the middle order.

Solanki, visibly tired of the recurring question, defended his side’s structure. “The number of times I’ve had to answer that question… quite seriously, we’ve just played a final. This notion of top-order reliance… I think you should accept the fact that we’ve had a reasonable campaign, and the details of that are there for everyone to see,” he added.

Tactical Choices in the Final

The final saw a bold tactical gamble when young Nishant Sindhu was promoted to number three after the early loss of both openers. While the move did not yield the desired results, Solanki clarified that such decisions were part of the fluid leadership dynamic between head coach Ashish Nehra and the captain. It was a judgment call made in the heat of the moment, reflective of the team’s willingness to adapt under pressure.

Reflecting on the pitch conditions in Ahmedabad, Solanki suggested that a slight miscalculation regarding a par score might have cost them. “I don’t think it was a 200-plus pitch of any sort. I think if we had got somewhere around the 180-mark, that would have been a challenging total for them to chase,” he admitted.

The Virat Kohli Factor

When questioned about witnessing Virat Kohli’s masterclass in the chase, Solanki remained objective. “We’re all privileged to see good players play, and Virat is an exceptional player. He played a great knock for his team. I’m probably not celebrating that knock right now, but he played very well to anchor that chase.”

As the curtains close on the 2026 season, the Gujarat Titans leave with their heads held high. While the trophy did not come home, the culture of excellence and the grit displayed throughout the tournament cement their status as one of the most consistent and formidable franchises in modern cricket.