Gujarat Titans’ head coach Ashish Nehra said that the team is not going to change their approach in IPL 2026 and continue to play tough cricket and look to win the trophy.
Last season, GT lost to Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator match and Nehra wants the team not to think differently and continue playing the same brand of cricket.
“I don’t think there’s a need to think differently this season. In fact, I don’t have to think, the players do. They (players) have to think. They have to play; I’m sitting outside,” Nehra said during Gujarat Titans’ “Shubharambh 2026” event with the squad, owners and partners present.
“From day one, our mindset has been clear, we are not here to participate, we are here to compete and win. For a new team, it’s easy to think it might take time, but that was never our approach. This belief was shared by everyone, not just me.
“You’re talking about a captain (Shubman Gill) who has been with the team from day one and has seen that journey. I don’t think we are looking to do anything different this season,” Nehra added.
Former England player and GT’s director of cricket Vikram Solanki also reiterated to what Nehra said and added that the team need not change much to how they played last season.
“As far as this season is concerned and putting a squad together, we had a really good year last year,” Solanki said.
“We just fell at the final hurdle. We made very small changes at the last auction, it just needed a little bit of adjustment. There were five players who came in, and Matthew Hayden has joined us as well.”
GT skipper Gill also shared his mantra for the new season where he looks to stay calm in tough match situations and try to look beyond the moment. India’s Test skipper, who was not part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning side would be a key element in GT’s campaign in IPL 2026.
“I’m just being myself, and the calmness comes from a sense of belief and security that I have within my group and in my own game,” Gill said.
“Staying calm in any situation gives you an eagle-eye view, you’re able to look beyond the moment, see the bigger picture, and have a much clearer, long-term vision,” he added.
Gujarat will take on last year’s runners-up Punjab Kings in an away game on March 31 in their first match in IPL 2026.
