As the excitement progresses ipl 2026Gujarat Titans (GT) camp got a special boost with his appointment as batting coach. Matthew Hayden Made an interesting revelation. The former Australian opener, who was known for his explosive batting during his playing days, has named the player to whom he would happily give his iconic Mongoose bat.
Mongoose’s bat and Hayden’s support
The Mongoose bat holds a special place in IPL history, mainly because of how effectively Hayden used it during his time with CSK. With its unique design – a long handle and a short blade – it allowed players to generate incredible bat speed and hit the ball with immense power.
Hayden famously demonstrated his ability in 2010 by playing a explosive inning of 93 runs in 43 balls against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). That innings remains one of the most memorable examples of raw hitting in the early years of the tournament.
Now, years later, Hayden sees a similar spark Rahul Tewatia. Speaking at GT’s “Launch 2026” event in Ahmedabad, he said:
“If I had to hand over my Mongoose bat to anyone from GT, it would be Rahul Tewatia. He has power. He does a very good job with the longer bat. The margins in T20 cricket are five runs, 10 runs and it’s good to have that power on the backend and frontend. You’ll get it, mate.”
This statement perfectly shows why Tewatia stands out. In modern T20 cricket, where matches are often decided by the tiniest of margins, having a player who can consistently deliver big hits at crunch moments is invaluable. Tewatia’s calm approach and his ability to accelerate make him a natural fit for a bat designed solely for power.
Since joining Gujarat Titans, Tewatia has quietly become one of the most reliable finishers in the league. With 591 runs in 43 innings at a strike rate of over 150, his numbers reflect both consistency and impact. Be it chasing a tough target or finishing the innings brilliantly, he has shown time and again that he performs well under pressure.
Also read: Aakash Chopra reveals the weakness of Gujarat Titans before IPL 2026
“I get worried when an easy catch comes my way”: Glenn Phillips
The “Launch 2026” event was not just about supporting Hayden. It also offered a glimpse into the mindset and personality within the Gujarat Titans team.
new zealand star glen phillips Shared an honest and slightly humorous perspective on the pressures of fielding. He said, “I get worried when an easy catch comes my way. I know I’ll take the hard catch, but the easy catch, oh, I’m worried.”
It’s a relatable sentiment that highlights the mental side of cricket – sometimes the simplest chances can seem the toughest.
Meanwhile, head coach Ashish Nehra strengthened the team’s competitive spirit with a strong message. He said, “From day one, our mentality has been clear, we are not here to participate, we are here to compete and win.”
This clear and focused approach has been a defining feature of Gujarat Titans since its first season. It reflects a culture built on confidence, clarity and a hunger to succeed.