Disaster night for GT! Team bus evacuated after smoke scare following IPL final loss

The Gujarat Titans players and support staff were forced to evacuate their team bus after a short circuit triggered smoke and a breakdown while they were returning to their hotel following their defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL final. All team members are safe, with no injuries reported, after the sudden safety scare on Sunday night.

According to PTI, smoke began spreading inside the bus shortly after it developed a technical fault on the way back from the venue. The players and staff immediately got down from the vehicle and waited on the roadside until a replacement bus was arranged to transport them safely to their hotel.

The incident added to an already difficult night for the Gujarat Titans, who had earlier lost the IPL final by five wickets to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a high-pressure clash. The defeat marked a disappointing end to their campaign in the Indian Premier League season.

Questions were also raised about whether the team’s hectic travel schedule affected their performance in the final. However, team director of cricket Vikram Solanki rejected the idea that fatigue alone was responsible for the loss, stressing that credit must also go to the opposition’s performance.

He acknowledged that the total posted by the Gujarat Titans was below par but maintained that the team still showed intent in trying to defend it. Solanki added that while post-match analysis would identify areas for improvement, the opposition deserved full credit for their win.

The Titans’ demanding schedule included travel from Dharamsala to Mullanpur ahead of the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals, followed by delays due to weather conditions before their return to Ahmedabad.

With PTI inputs