Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill said he does not feel weighed down by expectations as his team prepares for the IPL final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, reports PTI. Both sides are aiming for their second IPL title.
Gill said playing at home offers familiarity with conditions and added that it helps the team understand the nature of the wicket and the ground.
Gill said home conditions provide an advantage due to familiarity, but noted that the outcome of the final would define the season more clearly.
He said that winning would make it a great season, while a loss would still keep it good, though not as fulfilling as a title win.
Addressing the issue of travel after playing in different venues, Gill said the team understands the challenges of movement between locations such as Dharamsala and Mullanpur. He noted that while physical fatigue may be a factor, the final will depend largely on mental strength and composure under pressure.
He added that the side which remains mentally stronger will have a better chance of winning the title.
GT’s approach to batting strategy
Gill defended Gujarat Titans’ batting approach, saying the team focuses on achieving results rather than how aggressively they start innings. He said consistency in execution remains the priority.
He highlighted that he and Sai Sudharsan have focused on rotating strike with singles and doubles to maintain momentum.
Gill said that on slower pitches, finding gaps and reducing dot balls becomes crucial, as it builds a stronger platform for any format.
Bowling strategy and Test-length approach
Gill explained that Gujarat Titans’ bowling unit follows a disciplined approach with the new ball, focusing on consistent good-length deliveries adjusted according to pitch conditions such as black soil or red soil surfaces.
He said that such lengths are effective because they are difficult for batters to play, especially early in the innings.
Execution of bouncers against Rajasthan Royals
Gill also praised the team’s execution of bouncers in the Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur. He noted that the bowling unit used short-pitched deliveries effectively throughout the innings.
He said the accuracy and impact of the bouncers stood out, particularly in restricting Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who scored 96 off 47 balls but was not allowed to dominate freely for much of his innings.
(With inputs from PTI)
