Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his surprise at GT captain Shubman Gill’s captaincy skills in IPL 2026.
Ashwin particularly praised Gill’s decision-making in GT’s four-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in Ahmedabad on April 30.
Gujarat Titans registered a spectacular win
Despite RCB’s stellar performance, they suffered a middle-order collapse from which they never recovered.
Jason Holder took 2 wickets and 3 catches to earn the Player of the Match award. Arshad Khan took 3 wickets and Rashid Khan took 2 wickets to limit RCB to 155.
When the chase began, Shubman Gill set GT on a flyer with Josh Hazlewood off 24 runs. Jos Buttler also played an efficient cameo as the rest of the GT batsmen ensured a net run rate-boosting win.
The win gave GT a two-match winning streak and strengthened their claim for a playoff spot.
“How many captains have confidence?” Ashwin on Shubman Gill
Ashwin referred to Gill’s decision to stick with Kagiso Rabada. Virat Kohli hit five fours on Rabada in his first over. Ultimately 21 runs were scored in the over.
Gill decided to give the Proteas one more over, resulting in the wicket of Virat Kohli. Kohli’s wicket ultimately started the downfall of RCB.
“How many captains have this ability? How many captains have the confidence to give their bowler the second over after hitting five fours in the first over? He may have discussed with the keeper and implemented the plans. Sometimes, you run behind plans, but the batsman is good enough to overcome this. He read the game well and continued to play with Rabada and Siraj for six overs. He got the wicket of Virat Kohli there and from that moment the game changed,” Ashwin said.
“It was a masterclass” – Ashwin on Gill’s batting aggression
When the chase started, Shubman Gill started in a very aggressive manner. He scored 24 runs in the first over of Josh Hazlewood and eventually scored 43 runs in 18 balls.
Although Gill later lost to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he did enough to take GT over the line.
Ashwin described this counterattack as a tactical masterclass.
“I know he didn’t score big runs, but he showed intent against Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has probably been the bowler of the tournament so far. He created space and hit Josh Hazlewood on the off side, then came inside and went down the leg side. For purely tactical talent, it was a masterclass. There was a four off the inside edge against Bhuvneshwar, but apart from that, he looked in absolutely great form,” Ashwin said.
Shubman Gill in IPL 2026
Currently, Gill is the fifth highest run-scorer of the tournament with 373 runs in 8 matches. He is also the highest run scorer of GT at present.
Gill has scored runs at an average of 47 and strike rate of 155. He has also scored 3 fifties with a high score of 86.
Also Read: After CSK, Shubman Gill ruthlessly trolls Virat Kohli and RCB with ‘Play Hold Bold’ Instagram post
GT’s next match
Gujarat Titans will next face Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. This match will take place on 3rd May.
The two sides began their season against each other with the previous year’s runners-up winning that competition. PBKS had their unbeaten streak broken in their last match, but GT will be excited after a two-match winning streak.