Gujarat Titans’ (#GT) captain Shubman Gill is determined to take charge of the team’s batting approach in IPL 2025, with a special focus on maximizing the powerplay. After a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, Gill wants to lead from the front and rectify past mistakes.
Powerplay Struggles and the Plan Ahead
In IPL 2024, GT had the lowest powerplay run rate (7.72), with Gill himself scoring at a strike rate of 131.08. Only his teammate Sai Sudharsan (115.49) had a lower rate among batters who scored over 150 runs in the first six overs.
Acknowledging the team’s struggles, Gill stated:
“The plan is simple—score as many runs as possible while losing the least number of wickets. We couldn’t execute our powerplay strategy last season, and that reflected in our failure to qualify for the playoffs. As a batter, it’s my responsibility to set the tone, and this time, we aim to correct our past mistakes.”
Adapting to Conditions Instead of Chasing Big Totals
With IPL 2024 witnessing multiple 250+ scores, there is speculation that this trend may continue. However, Gill dismissed the idea of blindly aiming for high totals, emphasizing the importance of adaptability.
“We’re not chasing 300. Our approach will depend on conditions. If a pitch allows 240-260, we’ll go for it, but if 150-160 is a winning total, we need to recognize that. A great team adapts to situations, and that is what we aim to do.”
Gill’s Captaincy Evolution
Gill’s first season as GT captain was a learning curve. Before IPL 2024, he had limited leadership experience, having captained Punjab only twice. However, since then, he has led India on the Zimbabwe tour and was named vice-captain for the Sri Lanka series and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Reflecting on his leadership journey, Gill said:
“I’ve learned a lot from Ashu [Ashish Nehra] paaji and Vikram [Solanki] paaji. My first year as captain taught me valuable lessons, not just about the team but also about myself. Every captain has unique strengths, and I try to absorb qualities that align with me.”
Balancing Batting and Captaincy
Despite a promising start in IPL 2024, where he scored 255 runs at a strike rate of 151.78 in the first six matches, Gill’s form dipped later in the tournament. He finished with 426 runs at 147.40.
Ahead of IPL 2025, he emphasized keeping batting and captaincy separate to maintain clarity.
“When I bat, I focus only on batting. Captaincy comes after I am dismissed or while fielding. The more we separate the two, the better it is.”
GT’s Confidence and Track Record
Despite missing the playoffs last season, Gill remains confident in GT’s consistency over the past three years.
“We have the most wins and the highest win percentage in the last three seasons. That shows our consistency. Just because it’s a new season doesn’t mean we need to change things. We’ll continue playing the same brand of cricket that has brought us success.”
With a strong mindset, clear objectives, and valuable captaincy experience, Shubman Gill is set to lead Gujarat Titans into IPL 2025 with renewed determination.
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