Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has declared Gujarat Titans openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan the greatest opening combination in IPL history, pointing to their record-breaking 167-run stand in 77 deliveries in Qualifier 2 as the decisive blow that ended Rajasthan Royals' campaign in IPL 2026. The partnership powered Gujarat to a comfortable chase of 215, booking their place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Record Partnership That Sealed the Qualifier

The 167-run opening stand between Gill and Sudharsan arrived in just 77 balls, dismantling Rajasthan's bowling attack from the first over. According to Pathan, the pair hold the record for the most 100-run partnerships and the most 50-plus partnerships in IPL history — numbers that, in his view, place them above every other opening combination the tournament has seen.

'Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are the best batting pair in IPL history. They hold the record for the most 100-run partnerships and the most 50-plus partnerships in the tournament,' Pathan said in an interview with JioStar.

Why Their Partnership Works

Pathan attributed the duo's consistency to a natural complementarity in their batting styles — one applying pressure through rotation, the other through boundary-hitting — that keeps opposition bowlers under relentless strain from the outset.

'In T20 cricket, if you want a flying start, you want both of them at the top. They complement each other perfectly. One rotates the strike, the other finds the boundaries. Their understanding is remarkable,' he said.

He also noted that Rajasthan's tactical approach during the powerplay backfired. Attempts to unsettle the openers with short-pitched deliveries, particularly from Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer, played directly into their strengths. 'If bowlers try short-pitched deliveries, they actually enjoy it. They are ready to play the cut shot and punish anything short. That is exactly what Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer did. They bowled short, and Gill and Sudharsan were waiting,' Pathan observed.

Gill's Footwork a Key Weapon

Pathan singled out Shubman Gill's aggressive use of his feet against both pace and spin as a factor that makes him particularly difficult to bowl to. Even when Yash Raj Punja came into the attack, shorter lengths were punished.

'Shubman Gill is not afraid to use his feet against both fast bowlers and spinners. He steps out, creates room, and hits over the top. The opening partnership of 167 runs in just 77 balls was where Rajasthan Royals lost the game. That stand took the chase away from them completely,' Pathan said.

Final Preview: Pathan Gives RCB the Edge

Looking ahead to the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Pathan believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold a slight advantage over the home side, citing their deeper batting, varied bowling, and the benefit of a longer rest period after qualifying directly through the first qualifier.

'RCB look like a complete team. If you compare them man to man with Gujarat Titans, RCB have more in-form players and more proven match-winners. Their batting is deep, their bowling attack has variety, and they have fielders who can save crucial runs. Plus, they have the advantage of a longer break as well,' he said.

He acknowledged that Gujarat's familiarity with home conditions at the Narendra Modi Stadium will make them favourites in many quarters, but cautioned that Rajat Patidar's RCB side — having already beaten GT once in the playoffs — will arrive in the final with full intent. The IPL 2026 final shapes up as one of the most closely contested in recent memory.