The Gujarat Titans are clinging to hope as they navigate what has been their toughest season yet in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After clinching the title in 2022 and finishing as runners-up last year, the Shubman Gill-led side finds themselves in the lower half of the table with just 10 points from 12 matches.

With only two games left in the league stage, they’re eyeing a miraculous turnaround to secure a playoff spot, relying on their recent victory over Chennai Super Kings to fuel their optimism. Addressing the media ahead of their clash against the already playoff-bound Kolkata Knight Riders, Gujarat Titans’ pacer Umesh Yadav expressed cautious optimism.

Umesh Yadav emphasized the importance of focusing on their own game and aiming for victories in the remaining matches. Yadav highlighted the team’s belief in the possibility of unexpected turnarounds, citing instances where they’ve witnessed miracles unfold in the past.

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Umesh Yadav stated, “Definitely, there are a lot of possibilities. The plan is to play our game and try and win both the (remaining) games. If we try to win by a good margin… even Gill says he has seen miracles happening with this team. We are trying our best.”

Despite the challenging season, Umesh Yadav highlighted the team’s motivation, drawing from their strong performances in the previous seasons. “In the last two years, we won one final and were the runner-up in the other, so we are trying to grab our chances,” he added.

Discussing their strategy against Kolkata Knight Riders, Yadav identified the importance of targeting Sunil Narine’s stumps to halt the explosive opening batsman’s momentum. He emphasized the need to attack the stumps and swing the ball to create opportunities for dismissal, acknowledging Narine’s potential to deliver quick runs for his team.

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Reflecting on the evolving dynamics of T20 cricket, Yadav acknowledged the challenges faced by bowlers, particularly with the introduction of the impact player rule. He noted the increased freedom enjoyed by batsmen across the batting lineup, urging bowlers to remain courageous and proactive in their approach to taking wickets amidst the prevalence of aggressive, boundary-laden batting styles.