Kagiso Rabada Emphasizes Winning Over Net Run Rate for Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans Focus on Victory Amid IPL Success
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India] - April 18: Kagiso Rabada, the pacer for Gujarat Titans (GT), stated that securing victories takes precedence over enhancing the net run rate (NRR). This comment came after GT achieved their third straight win in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) by overcoming Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday.
In this match, GT triumphed over KKR by five wickets, bolstered by captain Shubman Gill's impressive 86 runs and Rabada's bowling performance of 3 wickets for 29 runs in 4 overs. Following this victory, GT has climbed to the fourth position in the points standings.
Despite their winning streak, GT's NRR is only marginally above zero, while other teams, including Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, have significantly higher NRRs, exceeding +1.
During the post-match press conference, Rabada emphasized that the team's primary goal should be to win matches rather than fixate on the net run rate. He noted that with numerous games remaining in the tournament, there is ample opportunity to enhance the NRR. He believes that maintaining performance and momentum is more crucial than solely focusing on improving the NRR.
“Winning is the priority for us as a team. The net run rate will take care of itself. This is just the fifth game, and we have nine more to play. There’s plenty of time to work on that, and sometimes it’s about building momentum. You don’t want to enter a game solely focused on boosting your net run rate; it’s about how the team performs in various situations,” Rabada explained.
He also highlighted the need to adapt to match situations, trust the batting lineup's capabilities, and allow players to play their natural game without undue pressure.
“Winning is paramount. While having a good net run rate is desirable, it shouldn’t be the main focus. Prioritizing victories and adjusting to the game situation is essential. We have the depth and skill to accelerate scoring, especially during the middle overs. However, it’s vital to trust the players in those positions; they know their roles well. Just as they don’t instruct me on bowling, we won’t dictate their batting,” Rabada added.
GT's next challenge will be against the Mumbai Indians on Monday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.