Shubman Gill is eager to apply the lessons from his first season as Gujarat Titans (GT) captain, where his team finished eighth in IPL 2024. With IPL 2025 set to begin, he hopes to elevate GT’s performance, starting with their opening match against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Learning from the Past
“Last year was definitely a learning curve for me,” Gill said. “Captaincy is something you get better at with experience. The more you do it, the more you learn—about yourself and the game. There were several takeaways from last season that will help me this year.”
Gill is now focusing on building stronger connections with his teammates. “Growth as a captain isn’t just about on-field decisions,” he said. “It’s also about engaging with players off the field, having one-on-one conversations, and understanding what areas they want to improve. That kind of communication is crucial in a high-pressure tournament like the IPL.”
Improving the Powerplay
A major concern for GT last season was their powerplay batting, where they had the lowest run rate (7.72) in IPL 2024. This year, Gill is hoping for a stronger start, especially with his new opening partner Jos Buttler.
“Honestly, we struggled in the powerplay last year,” Gill admitted. “But before that, Sai [Sudharsan] and I had some good partnerships. Unfortunately, Wriddhiman Saha’s injury and Mohammed Shami’s absence made things difficult. Finding the right combination was tough, especially after Hardik Pandya’s departure to MI.”
A Stronger Bowling Unit
GT made significant moves in the IPL 2025 mega auction, securing top-class bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, and Washington Sundar to support Rashid Khan.
“This year, we have an incredibly balanced squad,” Gill said. “We have depth in batting and a strong bowling unit. In a tournament like the IPL, where teams target 250-260 runs, it’s the bowlers who make the difference. A solid attack prevents big scores, which is key to winning matches.”
Gill hopes to maintain a consistent bowling combination throughout the season. “Ideally, we want to play the same bowling attack for all 14 league matches. But even if changes are needed, we have solid backups. Ishant Sharma, for instance, brings years of experience. We also have some promising young bowlers ready to step up.”
Also Read :Mayank Yadav Faces Setback in Recovery; LSG Struggles with Injuries Ahead of IPL 2025
