Shubman Gill Wants GT Pacers to Mirror Ashish Nehra’s Fierce Intensity Ahead of IPL 2026

Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill has sent a strong message ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season, stating that he expects his fast bowlers to embody the same fierce intensity that defined head coach Ashish Nehra during his playing days.

Gill and Nehra addressed the squad and fans during Shubharambh 2026 in Ahmedabad on Monday, an event that brought together the full team, franchise owners, partners and supporters.

Reflecting on the team’s approach, Gill underlined the importance of aggression in the bowling unit while making a humorous reference to Nehra’s animated on-field persona, clips of which have often surfaced as popular internet memes.

"I do not want my fast bowlers to be calm. I want them to be fierce just like Ashu Pa was. I'm sure you must have seen videos of how Ashu Pa acknowledged dropped catches when he was playing," Gill said during an interaction with host Mandira Bedi.

The Titans enjoyed a strong IPL 2025 campaign, winning nine matches to finish third in the league stage before being knocked out by Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.

Can Shubman Gill Lead Gujarat Titans with the Same Core Philosophy in IPL 2026?

Despite the setback, Gill insisted that the team’s core philosophy remains unchanged heading into the new season.

The composition of Gujarat’s playing XII for IPL 2026 remains largely similar to last season, with one notable change in the middle order.

Sherfane Rutherford has been replaced by Tom Banton, who impressed at No. 4 prior to the recent T20 World Cup and also struck a fifty against Scotland in that role.

At the Titans, Banton is expected to compete with Glenn Phillips for the same position.

Does Glenn Phillips Have the Edge for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026?

Phillips appears to have an edge due to his ability to contribute with offspin and his exceptional fielding.

He has also shown significant improvement with the bat in recent times. Since 2025, Phillips has averaged 41 at a strike rate of 148.66, compared to his earlier T20 numbers of 31.56 and 140.49.

However, team balance could present selection challenges. Jos Buttler and Rashid Khan remain strong contenders for overseas slots, and accommodating Jason Holder may force the team to either bench Kagiso Rabada or weaken the middle order by leaving out either Banton or Phillips.

Holder, secured for INR 7 crore, arrives in formidable form. His tally of 97 T20 wickets in 2025 is the highest by any bowler in a calendar year.

In the 2026 T20 World Cup, he picked up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.86 and scored 141 runs at a strike rate of 174.07.

The Titans boast a formidable pace attack led by Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, supported by Ishant Sharma, Luke Wood, Prasidh Krishna, Ashok Sharma and Holder.

Prasidh was the standout performer last season, claiming the Purple Cap with 25 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 19.52, including a four-wicket haul.

Ashok Sharma also emerged as a promising talent after an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, where he was the joint-highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 15.64 and two four-wicket hauls.

The franchise has strengthened its support staff as well, bringing in former Australia batter Matthew Hayden as batting coach and former India wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya as assistant coach.

Are Batting Concerns Mounting for Gujarat Titans with Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler Out of Form?

While the bowling unit looks robust, there are concerns around the batting, particularly form. Gill has slipped out of India’s T20I setup, and Buttler has struggled in 2026, averaging 20.4 at a strike rate of 135.39.

His T20 World Cup campaign was particularly disappointing, with a highest score of 26 and five single-digit dismissals in eight matches.

Despite this, Gill, Buttler and B Sai Sudharsan remain a formidable top order, having each scored over 500 runs in IPL 2025, a first for any team in a single season.

Head coach Nehra, meanwhile, kept things light when asked about the team’s plans for the upcoming season.

"We would not be doing anything different. Sochna mujhe to kuch nahi hai. Inko hai, khelna inko hai, meine toh bahar baithna hai (I don't have to think anything. They have to, they have to play, I will be sitting outside)," he said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Gujarat Titans will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings, last season’s runners-up, on March 31 at New Chandigarh, as they aim to secure their second title in five seasons.

(With inputs from ANI)