Gujarat Titans’ skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged his team’s batting struggles in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener against Punjab Kings. Despite a strong start, Gujarat Titans fell short in the final overs, leading to a three-wicket defeat. Gill mentioned that they failed to capitalize on the pitch’s potential for a higher total, ending with 162/6 in 20 overs.
The skipper highlighted the challenging conditions that hindered their batting performance. Gill noted that the team initially aimed for a score of 175, but continuous wicket losses and low scoring in the last five overs impacted their final total. He also mentioned the difficulty of hitting the ball down the ground as it aged during the match.
Gujarat Titans’ promising start, led by Gill and Sai Sudharsan, reaching 35/0 in three overs, was marred by regular wicket losses in the middle overs. Contributions from Jos Buttler and Glenn Phillips were not enough to push the team to a bigger score. Despite the defeat, Gill commended the bowling unit, especially Prasidh Krishna, for their efforts in keeping the game competitive.
In the post-match presentation, Gill pointed out the slight improvement in batting conditions during the second innings due to rain. He praised the bowling performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of youngster Ashok Sharma. Looking ahead, Gujarat Titans will face Rajasthan Royals at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for their next match.
