The Gujarat Titans (GT), under the leadership of Shubman Gill this season, have fallen short of the remarkable success they achieved in the previous two years under Hardik Pandya. Currently rooted at the bottom of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) table with just four wins in 11 games, the team’s struggles have raised questions about Gill’s captaincy.
Gary Kirsten defends Shubman Gill
Despite the team’s underwhelming performance, Gujarat Titans batting coach Gary Kirsten has expressed his support for Shubman Gill. He acknowledges the challenges of leading a team, emphasizing that mastering captaincy takes time. “He’s a world-class player,” Kirsten said confidently, “and I have no doubt that he’ll deliver some strong performances in the remaining games.”
“I think he’s enjoyed the captaincy, it’s something that takes time to really master, but I think he’s enjoyed it this season,” Kirsten said.
GT missing Mohammed Shami pace
Another factor impacting the Gujarat Titans’ performance is the absence of the injured Mohammed Shami. A vital weapon in the powerplay overs, Shami’s presence was sorely missed. “Obviously, someone like Shami is difficult to replace,” admitted Pakistan Cricket Team white-ball head coach. He highlighted the challenges faced by young bowlers stepping into such a crucial role.
Powerplay woes plague Gujarat Titans bowling attack
Gary Kirsten acknowledged a league-wide trend of powerful batting displays, particularly during the powerplay. He pointed out that this phase has exposed the bowling attacks of many teams, including the Titans.
However, he remains optimistic, suggesting that early wickets could shift the momentum significantly. Ahmedabad’s traditionally bowler-friendly pitch could also work in their favor.
Focus on finishing IPL 2024 strong
While mathematically still in contention for the playoffs, reaching that stage would be a monumental task for GT. Their primary focus, according to Gary Kirsten, is to finish the season strong. He urged the team to deliver “solid cricket” across all aspects of the game in their remaining matches.
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Taking wickets early crucial
Kirsten emphasized the importance of taking early wickets for Shubman Gill-led GT during the powerplay. This, he explained, would create more favorable conditions for the spinners by allowing them to bowl to new batsmen.
Purist Gary Kirsten calls out BCCI
A believer in cricketing balance, Kirsten expressed concern about the overwhelming dominance of batters in this year’s IPL. He urged the BCCI to explore ways to restore equilibrium between batting and bowling in the league. This sentiment reflects a growing concern within the cricketing community regarding maintaining the competitive nature of T20 cricket.
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