Gujarat Titans Stand Firm Amid Criticism Ahead of Qualifier 2

As the Gujarat Titans gear up for Qualifier 2 against the Rajasthan Royals, assistant coach Parthiv Patel defends their consistent approach amidst criticism. With a strong track record since their inception, the Titans aim to leverage their traditional batting style against the formidable talent of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Patel emphasizes their commitment to their game plan and the importance of executing strategies effectively. Will their consistency prevail against the Royals' dynamic players? Read on to find out more about their preparations and insights ahead of this crucial match.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 29, 2026, 02:03 IST

Gujarat Titans Defend Their Strategy

The Gujarat Titans have faced criticism from rival teams and analysts for being predictable, yet assistant coach Parthiv Patel has come to their defense, emphasizing the team's impressive consistency since their establishment in 2022.

In their inaugural season, GT clinched the IPL title and have only missed the playoffs once in their brief history.

The team's top order, featuring Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler, has proven effective with a traditional batting style, even as other teams adopt higher strike rates.

As they prepare to face the Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2, they will contend with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who leads the tournament with 680 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 242.85.

Tom Moody, the director of cricket for LSG, noted that GT's fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, thrive when the pitch offers assistance.

On the eve of the match, Parthiv stated that there is no need for a change in their approach, given their strong finish in the league. He expressed that the loss to RCB in the previous qualifier is not something they wish to dwell on.

He remarked, "We were comfortably positioned at number 2 in the points table. While other teams may have their opinions, six teams have not qualified. We finished second, and we know the style of cricket we want to play. We trust ourselves to deliver results."

Parthiv highlighted that since the team's inception, they have qualified four out of five times, showcasing their results. He acknowledged that different teams have varied playing styles, but GT has its own approach.

Despite a rocky start in the first half of the tournament, they remained committed to their process and trusted their abilities, which they plan to continue in the upcoming match.

The Royals boast the dynamic talents of Sooryavanshi and Jofra Archer, while GT relies on their consistency. When asked about his preference, Parthiv stated, "As long as we achieve results, we don't need to focus on having an X-factor versus consistency. It's about aligning all the pieces to secure a win."

Strategies for Sooryavanshi

The Titans recognize the need to dismiss Sooryavanshi early to prevent him from dominating the game. After witnessing his explosive performance on Wednesday, they are both cautious and prepared. In their last league encounter, they had limited success with short balls against him, with Siraj managing to take his wicket.

Parthiv mentioned that their strategies will remain undisclosed until they are on the field.

"I'm not in a position to broadcast our plans, but I'm thrilled with how he is performing. We hope to dismiss him early and execute our strategies effectively," he said.

"You'll only discover our tactics when we are on the ground. His batting has garnered much attention, and I believe we should stop focusing on his age. He is an exceptional talent, and it's exciting to see him play. From our perspective, we hope he doesn't score too many runs," Parthiv concluded.