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Gujarat Titans’ (GT) Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki, admitted that the think tank made a ‘slight miscalculation’ in determining the par score on their homeground’s pitch for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final. GT’s openers looked to attack like they did in Mullanpur in Qualifier 2 and lost their wickets in powerplay overs, leading to score of 155/8 which wasn’t enough to challenge Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In hindsight, Solanki believes that it wasn’t a 200-plus pitch and posting close to 180 would’ve been ideal for the home side.
“I think we probably just made a slight miscalculation actually of what score was appropriate on that pitch. I don't think it was a 200-plus pitch,” said Solanki in the post-match press conference.
“…If we had got somewhere around that 180 mark, I think that would have been a challenging total for them to chase,” he added.
Solanki was happy to see the players' fight in the final despite lagging behind early. He lauded RCB for a complete effort.
“I think we were probably 20-25 runs short, but it was exceptional to see the fight and the hunger the guys showed to bring that game to close to the finish.
“We had an opportunity to challenge RCB in parts but they were the better side today and I think that's just as simple as it is,” he said.
Solanki congratulates RCB
Solanki is also proud of GT's campaign where they finished second on the points table, lost Qualifier 1, won Qualifier 2 to make it to the final. He congratulated RCB for their second consecutive title.
“As far as our campaign is concerned we're immensely proud as a group of what we've achieved, there's no question we would have liked to have gone one step further.
“But the fact is that RCB have beaten us and we must be strong enough and hold our heads up high in being proud of the campaign that we've put together, yet also be gracious enough to to congratulate RCB,” he said.
Solanki privileged to witness Kohli’s ‘great knock’
In addition, he praised RCB opener Virat Kohli who scored an unbeaten half-century in the run chase, getting his team over the line with two overs to spare and five wickets in hand.
“Virat…we’re all privileged to see good players play and Virat is an exceptional player. He played a great knock for his team. I'm probably not celebrating that knock right now.
“Virat played obviously very well to sort of almost anchor that chase and guide that chase as he did,” he added.
Kohli scored 75 runs from 42 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes. He attacked in the powerplay overs and controlled the run chase in the middle overs when wickets were falling.
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