Gujarat Titans' Shubman Gill Reflects on IPL Loss and Ashok Sharma's Debut
Gujarat Titans' Performance in IPL 2026 Opener
Mullanpur (Punjab) [India] - After a challenging match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill expressed that a target of 175-180 runs would have been more suitable for the conditions. He also commented on the IPL debut of Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma, who managed to take a wicket in his three-over spell.
PBKS, who were the runners-up in 2024, kicked off their IPL 2026 campaign with a hard-fought victory. GT batted first, scoring 162 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs, with notable contributions from Gill (39 runs) and Jos Buttler (38 runs). Despite the modest total, GT showcased resilience in their bowling, reducing PBKS to 118 for 6 after they had been comfortably placed at 110 for 2, thanks to a stellar three-wicket performance from Prasidh Krishna.
Although the batting performance was not stellar for the 2022 champions, they compensated with exceptional fielding and effective bowling in the middle overs. Early aggression from Prabhsimran Singh (37 runs off 24 balls, including one four and four sixes) and Connolly's composed 72 not out off 44 balls (with five fours and five sixes) ultimately led PBKS to secure their first points despite a brief collapse.
In the post-match presentation, Gill remarked that the pitch did not seem conducive for scores above 200. He stated, "It never looked like a 210-220 wicket. However, I believe a target of around 175 or 180 would have been ideal. As the ball aged, it became challenging to hit it straight. The rain in the second innings made the ball wet, which slightly improved batting conditions, but overall, I think we performed decently."
Gill praised Prasidh for his timely introduction into the bowling attack during the 13th over, which proved crucial in maintaining pressure on the opposition. He explained, "We thought that with the wicket slowing down, a quick and agile bowler might help us take some wickets. He had been bowling well in the nets, which influenced our decision to bring him in late."
Regarding Ashok Sharma, who faced some challenges against Cooper Connolly and PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer but finished with figures of 1 for 31 in three overs, Gill noted that the bowler is a promising addition to the team. Ashok was acquired for Rs 90 lakh after an impressive season in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he took 22 wickets.
Gill added, "He bowled well at the start, and as he gains more experience, he will become increasingly valuable for us. He is dedicated to improving his skills and is also a solid fielder. I met him during the camp a few months ago and was impressed with his new ball bowling. I hope he gets more opportunities to showcase his abilities in upcoming matches."