Shubman Gill, captain of the Gujarat Titans, has acknowledged fielding as a key area where his team fell short in the recently concluded IPL season. Despite a strong showing in their debut year as champions in 2022, the Titans failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2024.
In a pre-match press conference before their final match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gill admitted, “The margin between winning and losing is very close in the IPL. While there were areas for improvement everywhere, I think collectively as a fielding unit, we let ourselves down in some of the crucial moments.”
While Gill didn’t pinpoint specific instances, his comments suggest missed catches or fielding lapses might have cost them close matches. He highlighted the narrow four-run defeat against the Delhi Capitals in Match 40 as a turning point, which could have significantly impacted their playoff chances.
The young captain also addressed the absence of Hardik Pandya, who was traded to the Mumbai Indians before the season. “A player of Hardik’s caliber is a big miss for any team,” Gill said. “But we need to accept that and perform consistently as a unit. That’s the hallmark of any champion team.”
Gill’s IPL 2024 campaign has been a learning experience for the young leader. He’s shouldered the responsibility of captaincy while trying to maintain his batting form. While the Titans couldn’t replicate their 2022 success, Gill’s focus on improvement, especially in fielding, bodes well for the future of the franchise.
