Kagiso Rabada Emphasizes Winning Over Net Run Rate for Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans Secure Third Consecutive Victory
Kagiso Rabada, the pacer for Gujarat Titans (GT), emphasized that securing victories is more crucial than focusing on improving the net run rate (NRR). This statement came after GT triumphed over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday, marking their third straight win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Titans achieved a five-wicket victory, largely thanks to captain Shubman Gill's impressive 86 runs and Rabada's bowling performance of 3 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs.
Despite their winning streak, GT's NRR is only marginally above zero. In comparison, other teams have significantly higher NRRs, with Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru leading the table with NRRs exceeding +1. During the post-match press conference, Rabada reiterated that the team's priority should be on winning matches rather than fixating on the NRR. He noted that with numerous games remaining in the tournament, there is ample opportunity to enhance their NRR.
Rabada's Insights on Team Strategy
'Winning is our top priority,' Rabada stated regarding concerns about NRR. 'This is only our fifth game, and we have nine more to play. There’s plenty of time to improve our NRR, and sometimes it’s all about momentum. You don’t want to enter a match solely focused on boosting your net run rate; it’s about how the team performs in various situations.'
He highlighted the necessity of adapting to match conditions, trusting the batting lineup's capabilities, and allowing players to perform naturally without undue pressure. 'Winning is paramount. While a good net run rate is desirable, it shouldn't be the main focus. We have the skills to accelerate scoring, especially during the middle overs, but we must trust our players to execute their game plans effectively. Just as bowlers don’t instruct me on how to bowl, we won’t dictate to them how to bat,' Rabada explained.
GT's next challenge will be against the Mumbai Indians on Monday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.