Matthew Hayden Lauds Shubman Gill as Gujarat Titans Gear Up for IPL 2026

As the Gujarat Titans gear up for their IPL 2026 opener against Punjab Kings, batting coach Matthew Hayden has praised captain Shubman Gill for his leadership and confidence. Gill's impressive performance in IPL 2025, where he scored 650 runs, sets a strong foundation for the team. Hayden emphasizes the team's solid batting lineup and their readiness for the upcoming season, highlighting Gill's unselfish nature and modern swagger. This season promises to be exciting as the Titans aim to build on their previous successes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 31, 2026, 00:17 IST

Gujarat Titans Prepare for IPL 2026 Opener

Matthew Hayden, the batting coach for Gujarat Titans (GT), has expressed admiration for the team's captain, Shubman Gill, as they gear up for their inaugural match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Tuesday. The match will take place at Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, marking the start of both teams' IPL 2026 journey.

Last season, the Gujarat Titans reached the Eliminator stage, showcasing impressive performances, particularly with the bat. Shubman Gill emerged as one of the standout players for GT in IPL 2025, alongside Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler, accumulating 650 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 50.00.

Hayden Praises Gill's Leadership Qualities

As the IPL 2026 season approaches, Hayden commended Gill for his confident leadership, which he believes embodies the essence of Indian cricket. He noted Gill's modern swagger and self-assuredness, highlighting his team-first attitude both on and off the field. "Shubman articulates the game clearly, indicating that Indian cricket is in a strong position, especially at the Test level. He exudes confidence and possesses a modern flair that I find appealing, as he takes charge of his own journey," Hayden remarked.

"He is incredibly unselfish in any team he plays for, consistently demonstrating a team-oriented approach during various press conferences," added the GT batting coach.

Solid Batting Line-Up for Gujarat Titans

Matthew Hayden emphasized that the Gujarat Titans are entering the new season with a robust batting foundation established during IPL 2025. "With Shubman at the helm, he anticipates his batting unit to replicate their performance from the previous season. The 18th edition of the IPL was a thrilling series for the entire Gujarat Titans squad," Hayden stated.

He pointed out that the team has no significant weaknesses, with strong contributions from the top order, middle order, and finishers. Hayden believes they are well-prepared, with minor adjustments expected as the tournament unfolds. "There were no apparent weaknesses; instead, there was a solid foundation from the top three, supported by exceptional middle-order players and effective finishers from last year. The metrics are promising as we head into this season, and improvements will naturally arise as the tournament progresses," he concluded.