Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has pushed back against criticism surrounding his side’s middle-order struggles, offering a more balanced perspective ahead of IPL 2026. After a strong yet slightly inconsistent 2025 campaign, questions were raised about the team’s finishing ability, but Nehra believes the narrative doesn’t tell the full story.
At the heart of Gujarat’s success last season was their dominant top order. Led by captain Shubman Gill, along with Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler, the trio amassed a staggering 1947 runs across 15 matches. Their consistency meant Gujarat Titans often found themselves in commanding positions, with the top three batting deep into the innings.
Ashish Nehra pointed out that such dominance naturally limited opportunities for the middle order. “As a coach, I don’t feel the middle order was collapsing,” he said. “When your top three are batting till the 17th or 18th over, there’s very little left for others to do.”
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It’s a fair assessment. In T20 cricket, roles are often defined by match situations. Players like Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, and Sherfane Rutherford were frequently walking in during the death overs, expected to deliver instant impact under immense pressure.
Nehra highlighted how challenging those scenarios can be, especially when facing elite bowlers. “It’s easy to talk about finishers, but it’s not simple when someone walks in at the 18th over needing 30-plus runs, especially if bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah or Jofra Archer are operating,” he explained.
Despite a strong start—winning nine of their initial matches—Gujarat Titans faltered towards the end, eventually finishing third and exiting in the Eliminator. However, Nehra remains confident in the squad’s structure and believes minor adjustments, rather than major overhauls, are the way forward.
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As IPL 2026 approaches, Gujarat Titans will once again rely on their proven top-order strength while hoping their middle-order gets more opportunities to contribute. They begin their campaign against Punjab Kings on March 31, aiming to turn last season’s promise into a title-winning run.
