Solanki ‘would have liked to have gone one step further’ but still ‘immensely pr’oud of GT’s IPL run
A Gracious End to a Challenging Campaign
In the aftermath of the 2026 Indian Premier League final, the atmosphere at the Gujarat Titans (GT) camp was one of reflection rather than regret. Director of cricket Vikram Solanki, while clearly disappointed by the loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), chose to maintain a perspective rooted in professionalism and mutual respect. For the Titans, reaching the final was the culmination of a rigorous season that tested the team’s depth and resilience.
Acknowledging the Champions
Solanki was quick to shift the spotlight toward the victors. Recognizing the dominance RCB displayed throughout the tournament, he offered a sincere assessment of their success. The Titans’ director noted that RCB had performed consistently from the league stages through to the final, ultimately proving to be the superior side in their head-to-head encounters. “I’ll begin by congratulating RCB. They’ve had an outstanding campaign,” Solanki stated. “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.”
Navigating a Brutal Schedule
The path to the final was far from straightforward for the Gujarat Titans. A defeat in Qualifier 1 against RCB in Dharamsala forced a demanding itinerary, requiring the team to play three high-stakes matches in a span of just five days. The travel logistics were equally punishing, with the team arriving in Ahmedabad only hours before the final showdown. Despite these logistical hurdles, Solanki refused to use fatigue as a crutch or an excuse for the defeat.
“The number of games in a short period of time is challenging. Of course it is at the end of a campaign, but I’m not going to lean on that at all,” he remarked. By dismissing the fatigue narrative, Solanki emphasized the need for the team to remain gracious in defeat and to focus on the objective reality of the match—that RCB simply outplayed them on the day.
Addressing the ‘Top-Heavy’ Critique
Throughout the season, external commentary often focused on the Titans’ heavy reliance on their top three batters: Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. The statistical output from these players was immense, with Gill and Sai Sudharsan both crossing the 700-run threshold and establishing a record for the most century partnerships in T20 history. When pressed on whether this reliance was a vulnerability, Solanki defended the team’s structure.
“This notion of over-reliance on the top two or top three… we’ve played a final. I think you should accept the fact that we’ve had a reasonable campaign,” he argued. The statistical evidence, in his view, was proof enough that the batting strategy had been highly effective rather than a flaw.
Tactical Decisions and Future Learning
The final featured a notable tactical shift when the team sent youngster Nishant Sindhu in at No. 3 following the early loss of both openers. Solanki clarified that this was a judgment call made by head coach Ashish Nehra in collaboration with the team leadership. While the gamble did not yield the desired result, it highlighted the franchise’s willingness to experiment under pressure.
Furthermore, Solanki identified a miscalculation regarding the pitch conditions. He noted that the team had aimed for a total that proved too ambitious given the surface, suggesting that a more conservative score around the 180-mark might have been more defensible. Regarding the brilliance of Virat Kohli during the chase, Solanki maintained a balanced view. While he could not celebrate the performance as a direct opponent, he acknowledged the privilege of witnessing such an exceptional player dictate the terms of a high-pressure match.
Ultimately, Solanki’s outlook for the future remains positive. By embracing the lessons of a runner-up finish, the Gujarat Titans aim to regroup and build upon the strong foundation laid during this campaign.
