Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes Shubman Gill has been the standout captain of IPL 2026 after the Gujarat Titans (GT) produced another dominant performance to crush the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 89 runs in Ahmedabad. The comprehensive victory strengthened Gujarat’s hopes of finishing inside the top two and further highlighted Gill’s growing reputation as one of the sharpest young leaders in Indian cricket.
Gill once again led from the front with the bat, scoring a fluent 64 off just 37 deliveries at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The GT skipper’s innings included seven boundaries and three sixes and helped Gujarat Titans post a massive total of 229/4 in 20 overs. Sai Sudharsan continued his dream season with a superb 84, while Jos Buttler provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 57 off only 27 balls. Gujarat’s bowling attack then dismantled Chennai Super Kings for just 140 in 13.4 overs, officially ending CSK’s IPL 2026 playoff hopes.
Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan all starred with the ball as GT registered one of their most complete performances of the season. After the match, Mohammed Kaif took to the social media platform X and strongly backed Shubman Gill amid the ongoing debate surrounding his leadership credentials in T20 cricket.
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“For me, Shubman Gill is this IPL’s best captain. The sign of a great captain is how he uses his bowlers. His bowlers have taken 108 wickets in 14 games,” Mohammad Kaif wrote. Kaif also praised Gill’s tactical discipline and his ability to keep Gujarat’s bowling attack focused on consistency rather than excessive experimentation.
“RCB, PBKS, SRH, RR and CSK have all been dismissed by GT bowlers this season. Gill asks his bowlers to stick to the Test-match line and length. Gill plays correct cricket — has great batting technique and knows how to use his bowlers,” he added.
For me Shubman Gill is this IPL’s best captain. The sign of a great captain is how he uses his bowlers. His bowlers have taken 108 wickets in 14 games. RCB, PK, SRH, RR, CSK have been dismissed by GT bowlers, Gill asks his bowlers to stick to Test match line and length. Gill…
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 21, 2026
Gill’s captaincy had come under pressure earlier in the year after he was removed as India’s T20I vice-captain and excluded from the country’s T20 World Cup 2026-winning squad. However, IPL 2026 has become a powerful response from the Gujarat captain, both as a batter and a leader. The 26-year-old opener has now scored 616 runs in 13 matches at an average of 47.38 and a strike rate above 161. He also became only the third captain, after David Warner and KL Rahul, to register back-to-back 600-run IPL seasons as skipper.
Additionally, Gill joined elite company alongside Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar with multiple 500-plus IPL seasons as captain. During his innings against CSK, he also became the seventh-fastest batter in history to complete 6000 T20 runs. Speaking after the victory, Gill insisted the Gujarat Titans are not looking to reinvent themselves heading into the playoffs.
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“It is about continuing the good things and delivering consistently. We don’t need to add anything extra. If we keep doing what we are doing, we will stay in a good position,” Shubman Gill said. The GT captain also admitted memories of last season’s collapse against CSK were still fresh before this contest. “Last season after 12 games we were number one, but we lost the last two games. Against the same opposition, they scored 230-plus and we got bundled out cheaply. Those memories were definitely there,” he revealed.
Shubman Gill’s second full season as Gujarat Titans captain has quietly evolved into one of the strongest leadership campaigns of IPL 2026. GT have now won six of their last seven matches and head into the playoffs looking like one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
