Gujarat Titans’ skipper Shubman Gill has shared insights on how he approaches leadership, emphasizing the need to keep his captaincy duties and batting separate. Reflecting on his first season as captain, he admitted that it came with its challenges but also valuable lessons.
A Shift in Performance Under Leadership
Leading the Gujarat Titans in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Gill’s performance with the bat saw a noticeable dip. The star batter, who amassed a staggering 890 runs in the 2023 season, managed only 426 runs this year. His strike rate also declined from 157.70 to 147.40, sparking discussions about the impact of captaincy on his individual game.
“The more you keep captaincy and batting separate, the better it is,” Gill stated. “When I bat, I focus only on that. The decisions I make as a batter are different from those I make as a captain.”
For a player who has been among the most consistent in the IPL, this change in numbers is significant. But Gill remains confident that keeping a clear distinction between the two roles will help him regain his batting form.
Learning from the Best
Despite the challenges, Gill sees his first year as captain as a learning curve. Working closely with head coach Ashish Nehra and Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki, he has picked up valuable insights on leadership.
- He acknowledges that every day as a captain brings new lessons.
- Understanding players individually and adapting strategies accordingly has been a key focus.
- The mentorship of Nehra and Solanki has been crucial in shaping his approach.
“The experience I get here, from Nehra and Vikram, is immensely treasurable,” he said. His words reflect an eagerness to evolve, knowing that leadership is a continuous learning process.
Home vs. Away Performance Balance
Gill also pointed out a crucial factor that defines a team’s success—performing well both at home and away. He highlighted Gujarat Titans’ strong record, which has been one of the best in the IPL over the past three years.
| Season | Home Wins | Away Wins | Total Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 6 | 14 |
| 2023 | 6 | 5 | 14 |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | 14 |
While Gujarat Titans have been dominant overall, Gill believes maintaining that consistency on different grounds will be key to future success.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The 2024 season didn’t go as planned, but Gill isn’t in favor of drastic changes for the next edition of the IPL. He remains confident in the team’s strengths and the foundation they have built over the years.
“If you look at our record over the past three years, we have the highest percentage of wins. If we continue to do that, it’s going to be another great season for us,” he said.
With another year of experience under his belt, Gill will be aiming to find a balance between leading the team and delivering as a batter. Whether he achieves that remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—he is committed to learning, adapting, and improving.
