Gujarat Titans Coach Explains Washington Sundar's Limited Overs in IPL 2026

Clarification on Washington Sundar's Bowling Usage

Parthiv Patel, the Assistant Coach of Gujarat Titans (GT), has provided insights into the team's strategy regarding Washington Sundar's bowling in the ongoing IPL 2026. He emphasized that the decision to restrict Sundar's overs was based solely on the match conditions rather than any fitness issues.

During a discussion on JioHotstar following GT's five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday, Patel addressed rumors concerning Sundar's fitness. He stated, "Washington is in great shape and bowling effectively. Our choice was purely tactical, influenced by the pitch conditions. In Ahmedabad, where the surface offers little turn, it’s challenging to utilize him optimally. If there were more left-handed batsmen, we would have certainly included him more. It’s about strategically timing his involvement in the game." Sundar, recognized for his off-spin and middle-over control, was used selectively as GT opted for other bowlers better suited to the pitch.

No Worries About Middle Order Performance

Patel also tackled concerns regarding the performance of the Gujarat Titans' middle order, asserting that the team is not anxious despite limited batting opportunities. He remarked, "We have no significant worries about our middle order. Our strategy focuses on the top three batsmen to guide the innings and finish strong, which sometimes results in the middle order not facing enough balls. However, players like Glenn Phillips and Shahrukh Khan are prepared to step up when required. Ideally, we prefer a consistent batter to close out games, but overall, we are confident in that segment of our lineup."

GT's Recent Victory and Upcoming Match

In their recent match, GT secured a five-wicket win against KKR, highlighted by captain Shubman Gill's impressive 86 runs and Kagiso Rabada's bowling performance of 3 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs. This victory has propelled GT to the fourth position in the points table.

Despite a three-match winning streak, GT's Net Run Rate (NRR) is just above zero, while other teams, including Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, boast significantly higher NRRs exceeding +1. GT's next challenge will be against the Mumbai Indians on Monday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.