Shubman Gill started his first Indian Premier League season with a strong win against Mumbai Indians last week. Reunited against former Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya, Gill's side won by a slim 6 runs; However, they suffered a defeat in the second match against defending champions Chennai Super Kings.
The Orange Cap holder from the previous season, Gill has had a quiet start to his own campaign as a bat, posting scores of 31 and 8 against MI and CSK respectively. With one win from two games, the Titans are currently seventh in the table but will be aiming to move up the points when they meet a strong Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.
Titans head coach Gary Kirsten opened up with an early assessment of Gill's start as the franchise's captain. Kirsten emphasized that the need to make quick tactical decisions in a fast-paced format like T20 is key, and Gill is learning the art of it.
„It's a fast-paced game. You're constantly making tactical decisions. It's not like Test cricket, where it's been unfolding for a long time,” Kirsten said at Saturday's pre-match conference.
„I am very impressed with the way he conducts himself as a leader,” Kirsten told the media ahead of GT's day-game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.
Kirsten said Gill, who took over as GT captain after Hardik Pandya moved to MI, has adjusted well to his role.
„I think he has taken to it (captaincy) very well. He has shown some good leadership qualities. He is smart. He is a young captain and has a lot to learn, especially in T20. So, he will learn along the way.
'Not enough'
Kirsten admitted that the Titans were too short in their massive 63-run defeat against the Super Kings, which also affected their net run rate.
„Like any cricket team, you want to play to the best of your ability. We didn't play well that day (against CSK). I think we acknowledged that and we had a conversation about what we need. Make sure we get the best out of our abilities.
„Every team has different strengths and we didn't show that in the CSK game, we need to improve,” he said.
„Całkowity introwertyk. Nieprzejednany specjalista od sieci. Przyjazny fanatyk bekonu. Student ekstremalnych. Miłośnik piwa. Organizator.”