RCB’s Powerplay Wickets Extend Rare Shubman Gill–Sai Sudharsan IPL Record In Final

Shubman Gill Sai Sudharsan. [Source - AFP]

The IPL 2026 final witnessed another chapter in a recurring trend involving Gujarat Titans' opening pair. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who have dominated bowling attacks throughout the season, found themselves under early pressure in the big final.

Gill and Sudharsan have been central to Gujarat Titans' success in IPL 2026, often laying the perfect platform at the top. However, the summit clash against RCB added another instance to a rare pattern which only RCB have managed to hold off mostly.

RCB get rid of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan inside the Powerplay in IPL 2026 final

In what was a significant development, defending champions RCB won the toss and opted to bowl first against Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final. Their bowlers delivered the ideal start, removing both Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan inside the Powerplay.

Gill looked positive early and struck a few confident shots. However, the Gujarat Titans’ skipper became RCB's first breakthrough on the second ball of the third over, skying one high in the air as Rajat Patidar completed a brilliant catch behind the bowler's head.

Sai Sudharsan also failed to survive the Powerplay. Attempting to take on a bouncer from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the left-hander miscued his shot and offered a chance that Jitesh Sharma safely collected with a well-judged running catch, leaving Gujarat Titans slipped to 45/2 at the end of the powerplay.

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Gill-Sudharsan Fall Inside Powerplay Together For Only Fourth Time In IPL 2026

As RCB struck two early wickets in the IPL 2026 final, removing both Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan inside the Powerplay, it marked only the fourth occasion in IPL 2026 that Gujarat Titans lost both openers within the first six overs.

The statistic underlines the consistency of Gujarat Titans' opening pair this season. Gill and Sudharsan have been among the tournament's most prolific batters, with both crossing the 700-run mark and regularly laying strong foundations at the top.

Instances when both Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were dismissed together inside the Powerplay in IPL 2026:

• vs Mumbai Indians, Ahmedabad (League Stage)
• vs RCB, Ahmedabad (League Stage)
• vs RCB, Dharamsala (Qualifier 1)
• vs RCB, Ahmedabad (Final)

Also Read: IPL 2026 Closing Ceremony: Performers, Date, Time, Live Streaming

Mumbai Indians were the first side to achieve the feat during the league stage in Ahmedabad, where Gujarat Titans failed to chase a 200-run target. Since then, however, RCB have managed to replicate the pattern on three separate occasions.

Three of the four instances of Gill and Sudharsan getting out inside powerplay together have come against RCB, including Qualifier 1 and the IPL 2026 final, suggesting RCB have repeatedly found ways to break Gujarat Titans' dependable opening partnership early.

RCB's Powerplay Bowling May Have Won Them IPL 2026

RCB's success in IPL 2026 has been built around their dominance with the new ball. Led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 17 Powerplay wickets, RCB further strengthened their position at the top of the charts in the final, taking their tally to 35 wickets inside the first six overs.

Gujarat Titans have been among the most successful Powerplay batting sides this season, largely due to Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Yet RCB repeatedly found a way through that challenge, and in the final, once again showcased a formula that few teams managed to replicate.

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