Gujarat Titans’ spinner R Sai Kishore lauded the team culture established by head coach Ashish Nehra and commended Shubman Gill’s leadership skills, noting that Gill seemed experienced despite it being his first time leading the side. Sai Kishore’s exceptional performance, particularly his four-over spell, played a pivotal role in GT’s narrow six-run victory over Mumbai Indians in their IPL opener.
Reflecting on Gill’s captaincy, Sai Kishore expressed admiration, stating, “Shubman led the team very well. It did not look like he was leading for the first time. Even to me as a spinner, the inputs that he gave were fantastic.” This acknowledgment underscores the seamless transition and effectiveness of Gill’s leadership role.
Despite posting a total of 168/6 batting first, GT initially felt they were slightly short of their target. However, Sai Kishore emphasized the team’s focus on competitive spirit rather than merely the outcome, attributing this mindset to the culture fostered by coach Ashish Nehra.
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“All credit to the culture he has set up over the last two years,” Sai Kishore remarked. “People are not thinking about the result (alone), they’re focusing on competing and staying in the game.”
Regarding his bowling strategy, Sai Kishore revealed his comfort level in handling pressure situations and adapting to the game’s demands. He explained how he adjusted his approach based on the pitch conditions, opting for variations in pace and focusing on consistency rather than solely targeting yorkers.
Despite being accustomed to a leading role in other teams, Sai Kishore embraced the challenge of playing a supporting role, particularly against formidable opponents like Rashid Khan.
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Anticipating the influence of dew on the match outcome, Sai Kishore highlighted his expectation of dew playing a significant role in the latter stages of the game. Despite the presence of dew, Sai Kishore was pleasantly surprised by the grip and purchase he managed to extract from the surface, contributing to his effectiveness as a spinner.
