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Shubman Gill is seen as a talented and adaptable leader by Gujarat Titans’ COO Arvinder Singh. He is believed to have the right mindset and support system to thrive, and with experienced players around him, he is expected to grow and drive the team forward.
Gujarat Titans COO Colonel Arvinder Singh (R) and Shubman Gill. (Sportzpics Photo)
When Gujarat Titans announced Shubman Gill as their captain ahead of the 2024 season, the young batter had massive shoes to fill. Taking over from Hardik Pandya, who led GT to an IPL title in their debut season and another final appearance in 2023, Gill faced immense expectations. But as the 2025 season approaches, Gujarat Titans’ COO, Colonel Arvinder Singh, exudes confidence in Gill’s leadership and believes his journey is only 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,” said Singh in an exclusive interview with News18 CricketNext on Saturday.
Singh emphasises that leading GT is an invaluable platform for Gill, allowing him to manage different match situations, play in varied conditions, and interact with diverse players. “From his perspective, it’s a wonderful platform where he has a significant number of matches, players, and different conditions to deal with. He plays in seven different places apart from his home state. So, for him, it’s a huge opportunity. 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.”
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After making it to the final in their first two seasons – 2022 (Winners) and in 2023 (lost final to CSK), GT managed an 8th-place finish in 2024, losing seven out of their 14 matches. While B Sai Sudharsan was GT’s best batter amassing 527 runs at 47.90, Gill was the team’s second-best with 426 runs at 38.72.
No one else managed a tally of over 200, barring David Miller (210). With the ball, only Rashid Khan (13) and Mohit Sharma (10) ten or more wickets in the season.
While acknowledging that Gill is still growing into his role, Singh highlights his experience with the national team as an asset. “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, which is equally important. He is becoming a key player, not just for GT but also for Team India.”
However, Singh insists that GT’s philosophy does not rest on one 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. Results will follow if the process is right, the intent is correct, and the methodology is sound. There are no guarantees, but if done right, success usually follows.”
Leadership, Learning, and Listening
The decision to hand Gill the captaincy was not taken lightly. Singh draws parallels with GT’s appointment of Hardik Pandya in 2022, when many questioned his leadership abilities. “Let me take you back to 2022 when Hardik was announced as the captain. At that time, there were similar discussions—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.”
In Gill, GT saw the same promise and a hunger to evolve. “The same goes for Shubman. He is an upcoming young player who has already showcased his cricketing credentials. Leadership skills are not learned in a classroom but on the field. He has a strong support system around him, which helped him last year and will continue to do so.”
One of the key aspects of Gill’s leadership is his willingness to listen. “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. We’ve seen that 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.”
Ahead of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, GT retained Rashid Khan (Rs. 18 crore), Shubman Gill (Rs. 16.5 crore), Sai Sudharsan (Rs. 8.5 crore), Rahul Tewatia (Rs. 4 crore), Shahrukh Khan (Rs. 4 crore), and to let go of big-ticket players like Mohammad Shami, David Miller, Kane Williamson, Mohit Sharma, Abhinav Manohar and Azmatullah Omarzai.
However, at the auction they reinforced their squad with the likes of Kagiso Rabada (Rs 10.75 crore), Jos Buttler (Rs 15.75 crore), Mohammed Siraj (12.25 crore), Washington Sundar (Rs 3.20 crore) and Glenn Phillips (Rs 2 crore).
Singh also believes that experienced players like Jos Buttler will play a crucial role in guiding Gill this season. “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 Philosophy
GT recently brought in former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel as the batting coach, a move that Singh clarifies is more about guidance than technical correction. “The title of ‘batting coach’ can be misleading. From a coaching perspective, we are assembling a group of people who can collectively bring out the best in our players.”
Singh explains Patel’s role in the setup. “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 to the table. Players can rely on his advice, but in a short tournament like the IPL, fundamental changes to technique are rare.”
With head coach Ashish Nehra, Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki, and a strong support staff, Singh believes GT has assembled a well-rounded think tank. “We have a solid group with Ashish Nehra, Vikram Solanki, Ashish Kapoor, and now Matthew Wade joining us. There is a method to the madness—each member has a specific role, but ultimately, they function as a collective group to support the players.”
Building a Lasting Fan Base
GT may be a young franchise, but their efforts to build a loyal fan base have been strategic and methodical. “Many define fan bases based on social media likes and comments. I don’t see it that way. Having been in this game for 17 years, I believe true fan engagement is different,” Singh explains.
GT’s focus has been on converting casual supporters into dedicated fans. “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.”
Analyzing data and trends, GT has seen remarkable growth. “After the 2023 season, analysis showed that GT was among the top five in viewership. In states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, we were the second-most followed team. This is a major achievement for such a young franchise.”
Singh insists that GT does not chase viral content but instead builds a long-term vision. “We analyse data, work with credible agencies, and ensure our engagement strategy is methodical. 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. But we are not here to compare. We have a clear vision for the next 3-5 years and beyond.”
For Singh, the goal is not just short-term success but a lasting legacy. “Our aspiration is not just to be a successful team from Gujarat but to be a globally recognized sporting franchise. We want to be known for doing things the right way—transparently and fairly—so that fans can associate with us without feeling manipulated.”
With a young and determined captain in Shubman Gill, a strong leadership group, and a clear roadmap, Gujarat Titans are laying the foundation for sustained success both on and off the field.
