Gill admits finishing innings remains key concern despite strong CSK win
Chennai
Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill admitted that his side still has one key area to fix despite a dominant eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2026 clash.
GT comfortably chased down 159 with 20 balls to spare at Chepauk, powered by a superb 87 off 46 balls from Sai Sudharsan, while Gill contributed 33 and Jos Buttler remained unbeaten on 39. The result reflected a near-complete performance from the Titans, but the captain was quick to point out a lingering issue.
Gill said the team has struggled with “finishing an innings” in recent matches and stressed that improving in the final overs will be crucial as the tournament progresses. While pleased with the overall display, he noted that execution in the closing phase of innings needs sharper focus.
He added that apart from a brief period in the final overs, GT controlled most aspects of the match. The decision to bowl first after winning the toss worked in their favour as they restricted CSK to 158 for 7, with Kagiso Rabada starring with 3 for 25 and earning the Player of the Match award.
Gill also spoke about some tactical confusion during the middle overs, particularly regarding spin options and the limited use of Rashid Khan, but said the team still managed to stay in control. He credited the fast-bowling unit for maintaining pressure and executing plans effectively in helpful conditions.
Sudharsan, who continued his fine form, described the knock as a confidence-building effort, especially after his previous century, and highlighted the importance of spending time at the crease in challenging conditions early in the innings.
Rabada, meanwhile, emphasised discipline and process, saying consistency and continuous improvement remain key to success. He also praised the growing synergy among GT’s pace attack, which has become a defining feature of the team’s strategy.
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted his side struggled to adapt to unpredictable Chepauk conditions, which saw variable bounce and difficult batting phases, leading to regular wickets and a lack of partnerships.
Despite the loss, CSK managed a fighting 74 from Gaikwad, but it was not enough to stop GT from strengthening their position in the IPL 2026 standings.
