Solanki praises the duo’s adaptability and relentless hunger for runs as Gujarat Titans move one step away from the IPL 2026 title

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Gujarat Titans assistant coach Ashish Solanki has credited Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan’s remarkable consistency to their adaptability, work ethic, and what he describes as an “immense appetite for run-scoring.”

Speaking after GT’s victory in Qualifier 2, Solanki highlighted the qualities that have made Gill and Sudharsan one of the most successful opening pairs in IPL history.

“I thought all of their qualities were on display today. It’s been a good number of years that that partnership has been flourishing,” Solanki said. “It is on the back of a lot of hard work. Shubman has put in tremendous effort throughout his career and is an exceptional young man. To be playing the cricket that he is at such a young age is phenomenal.”

Solanki reserved equal praise for Sudharsan, whose rise has mirrored Gill’s consistency at the top of the order.

“Sai is no less impressive. He studies the game, studies his opposition and leaves no stone unturned in his preparation. Along with his talent, his work ethic is second to none,” Solanki said. “Both players have the ability to adapt to different situations, conditions and oppositions. That, combined with their immense appetite for run-scoring, is a great quality to have.”

The numbers underline their dominance. Gill and Sudharsan have now amassed 2,944 runs together in the IPL, making them the second-highest scoring partnership in the tournament’s history, behind only Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers’ tally of 3,123 runs.

After Sudharsan claimed the Orange Cap with 759 runs last season, both batters have continued their prolific form in IPL 2026. Gill has scored 722 runs, while Sudharsan has accumulated 710, placing them among the competition’s leading run-getters.

While Sudharsan’s rise has been built on relentless preparation, Gill’s latest campaign has showcased his resilience. Despite being left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad earlier this year, the GT captain has remained unfazed.

“It was exactly as it has been throughout the five years he has been part of this group,” Solanki said of Gill. “He knows how to deal with success and failure. Professional sport is about managing both. His preparation has been on point regardless of the format or jersey he wears.”

Gill demonstrated that composure with a match-winning 104 off 53 balls against Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2. His innings, featuring 15 fours and three sixes, guided GT into the final and reinforced his status as one of the tournament’s premier batters.

With the IPL 2026 final set against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad, both Gill and Sudharsan will have the opportunity to add to their remarkable season and potentially challenge for the tournament’s top run-scorer award.

For Gujarat Titans, their greatest strength remains unchanged: two batters whose hunger for runs continues to drive the franchise’s success.