Gujarat Titans begin their TATA IPL 2026 campaign with clarity and confidence as Shubman Gill and Ashish Nehra address key themes of squad balance, fearless cricket and the team’s ambition to secure a second title.
27 March, 2026
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As we gear up for the much-anticipated TATA Indian Premier League 2026 season, our talismanic captain Shubman Gill and Head Coach Ashish Nehra addressed the media in an action-packed pre-season press conference on Thursday, March 26.
From squad dynamics to individual ambitions, the message was clear: our Titans are sharper, more focused and all geared up to add another TATA IPL title to our trophy cabinet.
Building the Perfect Bowling Balance
When asked about the contrast between emerging talent Ashok Sharma and seasoned campaigner Ishant Sharma, our Head Coach shared his perspective with conviction.
“From our point of view, Ishant is someone who needs no introduction. His experience speaks volumes and we see him playing a crucial role in the upcoming season,” said Ashish Nehra.
“At the same time, we recognize Ashok as an exciting raw talent. Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen enough to believe he can become a key part of our bowling unit this season. As a coaching group, we see it as both a challenge and an opportunity to bring out the best in both ends of the experience spectrum and create a strong, balanced attack,” added Nehra.
A question directed at our captain Shubman Gill touched upon his absence from the T20I squad despite leading India in Tests and One Day Internationals.
Our skipper Shubman’s response reflected belief and composure. He made it clear that he doesn’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone. Over the past four seasons with his beloved franchise, the Titan has consistently delivered with the bat, and was instrumental in our title-winning campaign in our inaugural season in 2022.
“For us as a unit, the focus isn’t on external validation, it’s on collective success. This season, we feel more aligned and determined than ever before, with our eyes firmly set on bringing home our second IPL title,” said Gill.
“At the end of the day, the goal is straightforward, we need to score more runs than the opposition. Whether it’s chasing down targets by the smallest of margins or overpowering teams with massive totals, we are ready for every scenario.
“We want to be a side that embraces challenges, be it chasing mammoth scores or putting up imposing totals. Our aim is to consistently play fearless cricket, adapt to different conditions and not rely solely on the nature of the pitch or surface on a given day,” our captain added at the press conference.
After emerging as the most prolific opening pair with a staggering 912 runs in the TATA IPL 2025, our captain Shubman Gill and his talented opening partner Sai Sudharsan will be aiming to continue their dominance at the top of the order for the Titans in the 2026 season.
While our stylish southpaw, Sai Su, claimed the coveted Orange Cap with 759 runs in 15 matches last season, our starboy Gill finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the 2025 edition with 650 runs in 15 games.
Meanwhile, captain Gill showcased his ultimate faith in his opening partner Sai Su, and confirmed that the duo will once again open the innings for the Titans in the TATA IPL 2026.
“Only the Purple Cap was missing. Even after winning the Orange Cap, if we experiment, then we will have difficulty as a team,” Gill replied after being asked if Sudharsan will be his confirmed opening partner.
As TATA IPL 2026 is just around the corner, our mindset is clear. Play fearlessly, stay consistent and evolve with every game. With a blend of youth, experience and a renewed sense of purpose, the Gujarat Titans are ready to script the next chapter of our journey. Aava De, Titans!
