‘He Listens, Learns, and Grows’ – Why GT Trusts Shubman Gill as Their Leader in IPL 2025
When Gujarat Titans (GT) announced Shubman Gill as their captain ahead of the 2024 IPL season, it marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise. The young batter had massive shoes to fill, stepping in for Hardik Pandya, who led GT to an IPL title in their debut season (2022) and a runner-up finish in 2023.
Though the 2024 season didn’t go as planned, with GT finishing 8th on the points table, GT’s COO Colonel Arvinder Singh is confident in Gill’s leadership, emphasizing that his journey as a captain is just beginning.
“The expectations from him are not only from us but from the entire cricketing world. There are a lot of expectations from him as a player. GT has given him the opportunity to hone his leadership skills, starting last year. He continues to lead the team and will be the captain again this season,”
Singh told News18 CricketNext in an exclusive interview.
Shubman Gill’s Leadership: A Platform to Evolve
Leading GT in the IPL provides Gill with an invaluable opportunity to develop his captaincy credentials. Singh highlighted the exposure he gains from playing in varied conditions across different stadiums and interacting with diverse players.
“For him, it’s a huge opportunity. He plays in seven different places apart from his home state. His credentials are evident in what he has shown so far, even last year. We may not have had a great season, but the glimpses of his leadership that we saw convinced us to continue backing him as a captain.”
While GT had a tough 2024 campaign, Gill still delivered with the bat, finishing as the team’s second-highest run-scorer with 426 runs at an average of 38.72. However, the lack of support from other batters, apart from Sai Sudharsan (527 runs) and David Miller (210 runs), contributed to the team’s struggles.
Despite a disappointing finish, Singh believes that Gill’s experience as vice-captain of the Indian ODI team will further sharpen his leadership skills ahead of IPL 2025.
“We are confident that the experience he gained last year, along with his current role as vice-captain of the Indian team in the 50-over format, will benefit him. He is in good form, as you can see, and hopefully, he will continue that momentum through the Champions Trophy.”
Gujarat Titans’ Leadership Philosophy: Beyond Just One Player
While there is immense faith in Gill’s leadership, Singh made it clear that GT’s philosophy does not revolve around a single individual.
“Yes, we expect big things from him. But as Gujarat Titans, we don’t expect just one individual to take the team across the line. The team wins or loses together. Our focus is to create conditions where each team member can give their best.”
This team-first approach was evident in 2022 when Hardik Pandya was appointed captain despite doubts about his fitness and leadership abilities. Singh believes Gill will also prove his doubters wrong, just as Hardik did.
“When Hardik was announced as captain, people had similar concerns—he had never captained before, people questioned his fitness, and there were many doubts. But we believed he was the right man for the job, and he proved it. The same goes for Shubman.”
Gill’s Leadership Strength: Listening, Learning, and Growing
One of Gill’s biggest strengths as a leader is his ability to listen and adapt.
“The beauty of Shubman is that he listens. He is not rigid in his approach—he is open to learning and improving. That is the essence of GT—the collective will of the team. It’s not about one player. If Shubman gets out, the team doesn’t panic. Someone else steps up.”
Singh stressed that GT creates an environment where players feel empowered to perform without external pressure. This approach has helped several underdog players thrive in the past.
“Players who were once written off have delivered championships or near-championships for GT. That is because of the environment we create—a space where players are encouraged to focus on playing their best cricket while we handle the rest.”
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Strengthening the Squad Around Gill
Ahead of IPL 2025, GT made key retention decisions while making major acquisitions in the auction:
Players Retained:
- Rashid Khan (₹18 crore)
- Shubman Gill (₹16.5 crore)
- Sai Sudharsan (₹8.5 crore)
- Rahul Tewatia (₹4 crore)
- Shahrukh Khan (₹4 crore)
Key Auction Signings:
- Jos Buttler (₹15.75 crore)
- Mohammed Siraj (₹12.25 crore)
- Kagiso Rabada (₹10.75 crore)
- Washington Sundar (₹3.20 crore)
- Glenn Phillips (₹2 crore)
Singh emphasized that experienced players like Buttler and Rabada will be instrumental in supporting Gill.
“On the field, it can be lonely for a captain, but he has the right support both on and off the field. And with experience, he will only get better.”
Parthiv Patel’s Role and Coaching Setup
GT recently appointed Parthiv Patel as their batting coach, and Singh clarified that his role is more about guidance than technical corrections.
“Parthiv fits in beautifully because he understands the conditions, has the players’ respect, and has played for India and in the IPL. His role is less about correcting technical aspects and more about bringing credibility and experience.”
GT’s coaching staff, led by Ashish Nehra, Vikram Solanki, and Ashish Kapoor, will work collectively to support Gill and the team.
Building a Lasting Fan Base: Beyond Social Media Likes
GT has rapidly built a strong fan base, but Singh believes it’s not just about social media engagement.
“Today, we have nearly 8 million social media followers. But what matters more is our direct fan base—those registered on our platforms like our app and website. We have 2.4 million registered users. These are real fans, not just casual followers.”
Singh insists that GT is focused on long-term engagement rather than chasing viral trends.
“We don’t just chase viral content—we focus on long-term plans. While some franchises have been around for 17 years, we have achieved in three years what some have taken much longer to do.”
Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead for GT & Gill
With Shubman Gill leading a revamped Gujarat Titans squad, IPL 2025 presents a new opportunity for redemption.
📌 Key Takeaways:
✅ GT remains committed to Gill as captain despite a tough 2024 season.
✅ Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj add experience to support him.
✅ GT’s focus remains on team success rather than individual brilliance.
✅ The franchise is building a long-term legacy on and off the field.
As IPL 2025 unfolds, all eyes will be on Gill’s evolution as a leader and GT’s pursuit of another title. 🚀🏏
Stay tuned for exclusive GT updates, match previews, and in-depth analysis!
