Gill aims for Gujarat Titans to capitalize on the powerplay

Gill Aims to Lead Gujarat Titans' Revival by Maximizing Powerplay Impact

Shubman Gill is determined to take charge of Gujarat Titans' (GT) batting in IPL 2025, with a key focus on "maximizing the powerplay" to set the tone for the innings.

GT struggled in the powerplay last season, recording the lowest run rate (7.72) in the first six overs. Gill himself had a strike rate of 131.08 in this phase, while his teammate Sai Sudharsan (115.49) was the only batter with a lower rate among those who scored at least 150 runs in the powerplay. After reaching back-to-back finals in their first two IPL seasons, GT slipped to eighth place in IPL 2024—Gill’s first season as captain. Now, he is keen to change that.

"The plan is simple—score as many runs as possible while losing the least number of wickets," Gill said at GT’s pre-season press conference. "We struggled in the powerplay and beyond last season, and that’s reflected in our failure to qualify for the playoffs. As a batter, it's my responsibility to ensure we make the most of the powerplay, and hopefully, we can rectify those mistakes this time around."

Adapting to Conditions Over Chasing Big Totals

IPL 2024 was a record-breaking season for high scores, with eight totals exceeding 250 runs. However, Gill emphasized that GT would focus on adaptability rather than blindly chasing massive scores.

"We are not looking to target 300 in every game," he clarified. "Our approach depends on the conditions and match situation. If the pitch allows for 240-250, we’ll go for it, but there will also be games where 150-160 is a winning total. The key to being a great team is adapting to different conditions and challenges."

Gill’s Leadership Journey and Captaincy Growth

IPL 2024 was Gill’s first significant captaincy role at the senior level, having previously led Punjab in only two domestic matches. Since then, he has captained India on the Zimbabwe tour and was named Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the Sri Lanka series and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Reflecting on his leadership experience, Gill acknowledged the mentorship of GT’s coaching staff.

"I have more experience captaining Gujarat [Titans] than the Indian cricket team," he said. "The insights I get from Ashu [Ashish Nehra] paaji and Vikram [Solanki] paaji are invaluable. Last season was a learning curve, and I discovered a lot about my teammates and myself. To be a good captain, there are things I need to work on."

He also highlighted the lessons learned from captains he has played under.

"Every captain has unique qualities, and some resonate with me personally. I aim to carry forward the leadership traits that align with my style."

Separating Batting from Captaincy

Gill was in top form in IPL 2023, amassing nearly 900 runs. He started IPL 2024 strongly, scoring 255 runs at a strike rate of 151.78 in his first six matches, but his form dipped in the latter half, and he finished with 426 runs at 147.40. For IPL 2025, he intends to keep his batting and captaincy roles separate.

"The more I separate batting from captaincy, the better it is," he stated. "When I’m at the crease, my only focus is on batting. Captaincy comes into play after I’m dismissed, during fielding, or off the field. Keeping them distinct helps me perform better."

Confidence in GT’s Strength and Consistency

Despite GT’s poor finish last season, Gill remains confident in the team’s overall IPL record.

"If you look at the past three years, we have won the most matches and have the highest win percentage," he pointed out. "That consistency shows our strength. Just because it’s a new season doesn’t mean we have to change anything. We’ll continue playing the same brand of cricket that has worked for us."

With a renewed focus on aggression in the powerplay, adaptability, and leadership growth, Gill is determined to lead Gujarat Titans back to the top in IPL 2025.

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