IPL 2026: Shubman Gill blames it all on bowlers after GT's crushing loss to MI, says 'We gave away too many runs'

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill admitted that his bowlers conceded too many runs as they failed to hit the right lengths in the IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians. This became the reason behind their 99-run hammering at the hands of MI, who finally ended their four-match losing streak in the ongoing season.

Shubman Gill not happy with GT's slack bowling after MI thrashing

The outcome of the match provides more than just two crucial points; it offers several significant positive takeaways that the franchise will look to build upon for the remainder of the season. Key highlights from the match included a maiden century from Tilak Varma, a vital contribution from Naman Dhir, and a clinical performance from the bowling unit, all of which will serve as a momentum booster for the five-time champions.

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Tilak Varma's magnificent ton sinks GT

Batting first, Mumbai faced early trouble, slipping to 44/3, but managed to stage a remarkable recovery to post a competitive total of 199/5. Tilak Varma was the architect of this turnaround, scoring a brilliant, unbeaten 101 off just 45 deliveries—an innings adorned with eight boundaries and seven sixes. He found a reliable partner in Naman Dhir, whose aggressive 45-run contribution helped stabilise the innings and propel the side toward their challenging final total.

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While the batting set the stage, it was the Mumbai bowlers who effectively sealed the victory. Jasprit Bumrah set the tone immediately by claiming the wicket of Sai Sudharsan with the very first ball of his spell, and the team continued to dismantle the Titans' top order by removing key batters Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill during the powerplay. Impact player Ashwani Kumar spearheaded this clinical effort, delivering a masterful four-over spell that yielded 4 wickets for just 24 runs, accounting for Gill, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, and Rashid Khan.

we gave away too many runs in the middle overs: Gill

GT never found their footing in the chase, losing wickets at regular intervals and collapsing for just 100 runs in 15.5 overs. This dominant performance secured a massive 99-run victory for the Mumbai Indians, marking a complete turnaround in form and providing a perfect blueprint for success as the team looks to revive their campaign.

“Honestly, I think we gave away too many runs in the middle overs. On a wicket like that, I think 160-170 was a par score. But I think there are a lot of lessons for us from this game. I mean, a small hiccup, but now we’ve got a couple of games on the road, so hopefully we will come back on the winning side again,” Gill said at the post-match presentation.

“I think the wicket was a little bit on the slower side. I don’t think we hit the right areas. The length of the ball wasn’t coming on as well; some balls were coming, some weren’t, and some were keeping low. So, we weren't able to hit that length more consistently. I think we could have hit that length in the middle overs a bit more consistently, which we were not able to. (Did the pitch change when they were batting?) I think it was pretty similar. If at all, it could have gotten a little bit better because I think there was a bit more dew when we were batting,” Gill concluded