IPL 2026: GT Skipper Shubman Gill's 24-Ball 32 Against RCB Leaves Fans Divided Over Intent

Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Shubman Gill has come under scrutiny for his slow innings in the IPL 2026 clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday, April 24. After being put into bat first, GT posted a solid total of 205/3 in 20 overs.

Sai Sudharsan led the visitors' innings with a brilliant knock of 100 off 58 balls, including 11 fours and 5 sixes, at a strike rate of 172.41, accounting for nearly 50% of GT's total runs, dominating the powerplay as well as the middle overs. Shubman Gill (32), Jos Buttler (25), Washington Sundar (19*), and Jason Holder (23*) made steady contributions around Sudharsan's century, helping GT build a strong total above 200.

For RCB. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/31), Suyash Sharma (1/36), and Josh Hazlewood (1/40) picked a wicket each, while the rest of the bowling line-up went wicketless as GT's top order controlled the innings through key partnerships.

Also Read: IPL: Sai Sudharsan's majestic ton powers Gujarat Titans to 205 vs RCB

Gill's Slow Innings Under Scrutiny

As Gujarat Titans set a 206-run target for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to chase, thanks to Sai Sudharsan's century knock, Shubman Gill's 24-ball 32 drew attention for its relatively measured pace, as the innings was largely driven by y Sudharsan's dominant strike rate at the top.

In the powerplay, i.e., first six overs of the innings, Gill faced only seven deliveries and scored 8 runs, while Sudharsan dominated with a knock of 49 off 26 balls, as the GT skipper struggled for strike and remained largely at the non-striker's end during Sudharsan's aggressive start. After the powerplay, Shubman Gill continued to play as a second fiddle to the left-handed opener, who continued to anchor the innings.

Though he received the strike regularly compared to his limited opportunity in the powerplay, the GT captain struggled to get into his rhythm, as he scored 24 off 17 balls at a strike rate of I41.17 before being dismissed after a brief stay at the crease.

Shubman Gill dismissed for 32 from 24 balls. twitter/5ln79oTv66

- Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 24, 2026

Fascinating. GT have batted for 5 overs, and Shubman has so far faced 3 of the 30 balls!

- Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 24, 2026

In his 128-run stand for the opening wicket with Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill contributed only 25% of the partnership runs, playing a supporting role as Sudharsan dominated the innings with a fluent century and aggressive stroke play.

Despite the Chinnaswamy pitch offering good conditions for batting, Gill's innings remained controlled rather than explosive, as GT's scoring momentum was largely built through Sudharsan's fluent century and strong support from the middle order.

Shubman Gill's Innings Sparks Intent Debate

Understandably, Shubman Gill didn't get the strike as Sai Sudharsan was in full flow and dominated the innings, but the GT captain had limited impact in terms of acceleration, as his innings remained steady rather than impactful in the middle overs.

Taking to their X handles (formerly Twitter), fans and cricket enthusiasts were split over Shubman Gill's slow innings, with some criticising his slow strike rate and intent, while others defended him for playing the anchor role alongside Sudharsan's century.

A section questioned his T20 approach, while supporters said he batted as per the match situation and team plan, with Gill struggling for a strike as Sudharsan dominated the innings.

Shubman Gill creating pressure on Sai Sudharshan by playing with 120 strike rate, when all ten wickets are left and GT can easily score 260-270. Believe me, Shubhman Gill is washed in T20 cricket, and shouldn't play T20 for India anymore but his PR hypes him as the next Indian... twitter/UAbgNdvFU5

- Soman. (@Shreyasian96) April 24, 2026

People are criticising Shubman Gill unnecessarily tonight, he was playing anchor to Sai Sudarshan tonight as Sai went all gun blazing & Gill did his job well as parter & given Sai the strike regularly. & the kind of middle order Nehra has built, Gill knows that he can't throw... twitter/UqtUVoDAxB

- Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) April 24, 2026

I don't think Shubman Gill will get back into India's T20I side. Neither he should. I believe Gill and Kuldeep's T20 action should be limited to the IPL. Let them maximise their ceilings and approach greatness in Tests and ODIs.

- KASHISH (@crickashish217) April 24, 2026

Leave it to Shubman Gill to make a highway pitch look like a Test match. A true masterclass: 32 off 24 on a completely flat track. twitter/POimtFQnBp

- Pratika's Poetry (@RRoyal_Reaper) April 24, 2026

Average innings for Shubman Gill, but he didn't got much time to settle as today is Sai Sudharshan's day so it's okay! STEVE_7 (@ZyedSafwan13550) April 24, 2026

Wrong shot by Shubman Gill at the wrong time,With Sai Sudharsan playing aggressively at the other end, there was absolutely no need to take that risk don't have that much batting depth this wicket could hurt them badly it may be momentum for RCB.#RCBvsGT twitter/fNwQ5RhFyq

- Bijendra B Rajput (@brajput868) April 24, 2026

Shubman Gill anchored innings can cost GT this game. #gtvsrcb #rcbvsgt

- Heman (@airuhd) April 24, 2026

Shubman Gill knew that once he got out, the team lacked strength. So he tried to stay till the end, but after his dismissal, the run rate dropped and Gujarat's batting collapsed#ShubmanGill twitter/BvMrMQ3OGV

- KAKA NATION (@AbhijitMote9) April 24, 2026

Jos Buttler is a proper opener and not Shubman Gill. Buttler should open with Sai Sudarshan. GT messing it up badly. #IPL

- Jainam Mehta (@Jainam09) April 24, 2026

I never understood why Shubman Gill bats ahead of Jos Buttler twitter/0HOR53UX4h

- TEJASH (@LoyleRohitFan) April 24, 2026

In the IPL 2026, Shubman Gill has aggregated 297 runs, including 3 fifties, at an average of 49.50 and a strike rate of 149.24 in six matches. The strike rate remains consistent with his strong season so far.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Ponting's culture, Iyer's captaincy hailed for PBKS run

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