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GT's IPL 2026 Goal: Consistent Big Scores, Says Captain Shubman Gill

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has stated the team's primary focus for IPL 2026 is to consistently post big totals rather than chasing record individual scores. Head coach Ashish Nehra echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the goal of winning matches in any condition or situation. Nehra also defended the team's middle order against criticism, explaining that the top order's dominance often left them with few deliveries to face. The Titans begin their campaign against Punjab Kings on March 31, looking to add another title to their 2022 win.

Key Points: GT's IPL 2026 Strategy: Consistent Big Totals, Says Gill

  • Focus on consistent big totals
  • Aim to win in all conditions
  • Defending the middle-order's role
  • Building on strong playoff history
2 min read

IPL 2026: GT wants to be a team that consistently scores big runs, says captain Gill

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill outlines the team's focus on consistently scoring big runs to win in all conditions in IPL 2026.

"We want to be a team that consistently scores big runs and achieves the par target for that wicket. - Shubman Gill"

Ahmedabad, March 26

Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill said his side's focus in the upcoming Indian Premier League season will be on consistently posting big totals, as the 2022 champions look to clinch another title when the ten-team competition begins on March 28.

"At the end of the day, you have to score more runs than the other team. Whether it's by four runs or 150-200 runs, the goal is to win. We are not chasing the glory of scoring 300-350 in a single match.

"We want to be a team that consistently scores big runs and achieves the par target for that wicket. We want to win matches in different conditions. We don't want to be a team that performs only on good wickets," said Gill in a pre-season press conference on Thursday.

GT will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against last year's runners-up, Punjab Kings, in Mullanpur on March 31. Head coach Ashish Nehra backed his captain's approach. "Like the captain just mentioned, we want to be a team that can win in any condition, in any situation, home or away," he said.

Since their debut in 2022, GT have reached the playoffs in three out of four seasons, winning the title in their inaugural campaign and being runners-up in 2023. Nehra also defended the criticism towards GT's middle order due to over-reliance on the top three of Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler to get big runs.

"First things first, as a coach, I don't feel the middle order was collapsing. Yes, the top three scored heavily and often batted through 17-18 overs, which is one of the main reasons the team was in such a strong position after 13-14 games.

"It was a disappointing end to the tournament, no doubt, but when your top three are scoring that many runs, the middle order naturally faces very few deliveries, and that's not an easy role. There may have been one or two occasions in 14 games when Nos. 5 or 6 could have finished the match and didn't, but that's part of the game.

"Whether it was Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, or Sherfane Rutherford, they did their job, and that's why we were where we were. It's always easy to talk about finishers, but it's not simple when someone walks in at the 18th over needing 35 off two, especially if Jasprit Bumrah or Jofra Archer is bowling," concluded Nehra.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Ananya R
Nehra ji makes a fair point about the middle order. It's tough to come in and hit from ball one in the 18th over. But still, last year's playoff loss hurt. Hope they've worked on that finishing ability. Tewatia needs to find his 2022 form again.
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David E
As a neutral fan, this is the right mindset. Adapting to conditions is key. The IPL isn't just played in Bengaluru or Mumbai. Winning in Jaipur or Lucknow on slower tracks is what separates champions. Gill gets it.
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Priyanka N
With Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler at the top, they will get those big starts. The real test is the bowling. Can Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav deliver again? That's where the title will be won or lost.
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Siddharth J
Respectfully, I think Nehra is deflecting a bit. Yes, the top three were brilliant, but a championship team needs a reliable 5 and 6. Relying on them to face only 12 balls a tournament is not a strategy. They need to be tested more in the league stage itself.
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Kavya N
So excited for the new season! Gill as a full-time captain is something to watch. His batting was phenomenal last year. If he leads from the front, GT is a serious contender. Can't wait for the first match! 💙

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