Solanki ‘would have liked to have gone one step further’ but still ‘immensely pr’oud of GT
Reflecting on a Memorable Campaign
In the aftermath of the IPL 2026 final, the cricketing world witnessed a display of grace and sportsmanship from Gujarat Titans (GT) director of cricket, Vikram Solanki. Despite falling short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the championship decider, Solanki chose to focus on the positives of a grueling and successful season. While he candidly admitted that he Solanki ‘would have liked to have gone one step further’ but still ‘immensely pr’oud of the way his team conducted themselves, his words resonated with a sense of professional maturity.
Congratulating the Champions
Solanki was quick to acknowledge the dominance displayed by RCB throughout the campaign. Recognizing their consistency, he noted that the Bengaluru-based side finished at the top of the table during the league stage and demonstrated their superiority by defeating the Titans twice in high-pressure scenarios. “They’ve had an outstanding campaign,” Solanki remarked, emphasizing that GT must take the lessons from these losses on board to improve for future seasons.
Addressing the Scheduling Challenges
The route to the final was anything but easy for the Gujarat Titans. A loss in Qualifier 1 meant that the team faced a punishing schedule, having to travel and play three high-stakes matches in just five days. The physical toll was evident as the team arrived in Ahmedabad late on Saturday, leaving them with less than 20 hours of recovery time before taking the field for the most important game of the year.
Despite these unfavorable circumstances, Solanki firmly rejected the use of fatigue as an excuse. He maintained that such logistical hurdles are part of the game and that dwelling on them would detract from the merit of RCB’s victory. “I don’t want to take away from the fact that RCB have won by simply saying we’re fatigued. That’s not really what we’re about,” he added, highlighting his commitment to a culture of accountability.
Debunking the Over-Reliance Narrative
A persistent talking point throughout the season was the heavy dependence of the Titans on their top three batters: Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. With Gill and Sai Sudharsan both crossing the 700-run mark and establishing an record-breaking 11 century partnerships in T20 cricket, the scrutiny regarding their middle-order depth was inevitable. However, Solanki dismissed these concerns, stating that the team’s success in reaching the final speaks for itself.
“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,” Solanki asserted. He pointed out that the statistics clearly demonstrate the quality of the team’s performance, regardless of how the scoring load was distributed.
Strategic Decisions and Future Outlook
The final featured a tactical gamble when Nishant Sindhu was promoted to the No. 3 position following the early loss of the openers. While the move did not produce the desired outcome, Solanki clarified that this was a judgment call made by head coach Ashish Nehra in collaboration with the captain. It was a reflection of the team’s adaptive approach, even if it did not pay dividends on this particular occasion.
As for the match itself, Solanki noted a slight miscalculation regarding the par score on the pitch. He believes that reaching the 180-run mark would have been a competitive total, suggesting that the team had aimed slightly too high given the nature of the surface. Furthermore, he offered a respectful nod to Virat Kohli, acknowledging his match-winning knock. While the loss was undoubtedly difficult to swallow, Solanki’s reflections serve as a reminder that in cricket, sometimes the better side on the day simply earns the win through sheer persistence and clinical execution.
Ultimately, the Gujarat Titans leave the 2026 season with their heads held high, having established themselves as a formidable force in the league. Solanki’s leadership ensures that the team remains grounded, appreciative of their achievements, and focused on the path forward.
