Ashish Nehra, the head coach of Gujarat Titans, is a strong supporter of captain Shubman Gill and believes he can take on a long-term leadership role within the team. Gill, who currently ranks as the number one ODI batter, has stepped into the captaincy for the second consecutive IPL season after the departure of Hardik Pandya. Pandya had led the Titans to victory during their first season in 2022, and the team performed well enough in the last season to finish as runners-up against Chennai Super Kings in the finals. Since Pandya moved on to play for the Mumbai Indians, Gill has taken the reins.
Nehra shared his thoughts on their conversations over the past year, saying, “From what I’ve seen and discussed with Shubman, I think real learning comes from individual experiences. This year, I’m really confident things are going to keep improving. For me, it’s not just about the scoreboard. I see Shubman as a person and a captain who has what it takes to push this team forward.” He went on to explain why he believes in Gill’s growth: If Shubman stays humble, keeps learning, and grows from his experiences – and that’s just who he is – there’s no limit to what he can achieve.
When speaking about his coaching style, Nehra emphasized the importance of creating a stable environment, especially in the fast-paced setting of the IPL. “I tend to look beyond just being a coach. If I put myself in the shoes of the players, I see that what they really need is stability in such a hectic tournament. My goal is to let them focus. Nobody here is judging them. They need time to settle in, especially when they’re new to the team,” he explained.
Nehra pointed out the challenge of team consistency given that player turnover is common. “In this game, the nature of things is such that you might keep about four to five players, and during the auction, there’s a chance you’ll add one or two important players. Every three years, 40-50% of the team turns over, which means we constantly need to rebuild,” he said.
He also acknowledged how life has changed since the pandemic. We don’t have those bio-bubbles anymore, which made things a bit simpler back then. But Ahmedabad’s environment means people don’t go out too often. It has an almost bubble-like feel. The challenge now is figuring out how to bond and develop good team dynamics with new players in such a short amount of time. Communication is key both on and off the field. It really is all about keeping it simple, even if it seems like a straightforward task isn’t always easy to do.”
Nehra also addressed the critical mindset bowlers need to have in T20 matches. He believes it’s vital for them to look beyond the usual thinking that getting hit is acceptable. “It’s common to hear bowlers say that it’s okay to concede runs in T20 cricket. We get that it happens; some days you may give away 60-70 runs in a few overs. But there’s always another way to look at it. In those same overs, you could take a couple of wickets while only letting 20-24 runs slip. It’s about balancing perspectives,” he noted.
He praised bowlers like Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Prasidh Krishna for their strong mental game. “Once a bowler slips into a negative mindset, bouncing back can be tough. We know the conditions can be different, and the vibes in the dressing room can vary, but the real driving force is what’s going on in the players’ minds. Positivity is essential for bowlers. Top-level bowlers like Siraj, Rabada, and Krishna need to feel like they’re always in the game,” he said.
He acknowledged that it’s a game where sometimes the batsman shines, and other times it’s the bowler’s day. “If you have a rough season, you might find the batsmen taking the lead more often. But if things go well, like when Mohammed Shami or Hardik Pandya pitched in under pressure, it can feel just as intense as playing in a full-on match in the UK, even if you’re on the same Ahmedabad pitch,” Nehra explained.
This Sunday, the fourth-placed Gujarat Titans will face off against the struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium as the IPL competition continues to heat up!
