April 4, 2025: Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra recently opened up about his coaching philosophy and his vision for captain Shubman Gill as the franchise prepares for their upcoming match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). Nehra, who led Gujarat to an impressive IPL title in their debut season in 2022, has been at the helm for the team ever since, guiding them to a strong finish in 2023 when they reached the final but fell short against Chennai Super Kings.
In his fourth year as head coach of Gujarat, Nehra emphasized the importance of creating a stable and supportive environment for players, especially considering the hectic nature of the IPL. Nehra believes that the first thing players need in such a fast-paced tournament is stability. “For me, I don’t see things only from a coach’s perspective. Even if I put myself in the shoes of a player in such an environment, the first thing they need is stability. That’s how I feel. My approach is to just let them be; nobody is judging them here,” Nehra said on JioHotstar’s exclusive show, Aava De.
With IPL’s dynamic nature, where each team frequently changes a significant portion of its roster after every auction, Nehra has had to adapt to the challenge of building chemistry among new players in a short period. Despite the pressure, he focuses on clarity, both on and off the field, and prioritizes simple, fundamental coaching. “The challenge is, how do you spend time and build chemistry with new players in just a week? It’s about clarity—on the field and off the field. Just the basic things. I don’t think there’s any rocket science to it,” he said.
Nehra also touched upon the importance of leadership and the evolution of Shubman Gill, who was entrusted with the captaincy after Hardik Pandya’s departure to Mumbai Indians. Although the franchise faced a setback in the previous season, finishing eighth, Nehra remains optimistic about Gill’s future. He believes the young opener, who has been with the team for several seasons now, has immense potential to grow both as a leader and a player.
“From all the conversations I’ve had with Shubman over the past year, I believe a person learns best from their own experiences. So, this year, things will only get better and better. I’m looking at Shubman Gill as a person, as a captain, and as someone who will take this team forward,” Nehra added. He believes that if Gill stays grounded, learns from each game, and continues to grow, there’s no limit to what he can achieve.
As Gujarat Titans prepare for the ongoing season, Nehra’s approach to coaching and his faith in Gill’s leadership signal a promising future for the team. The combination of stability, simplicity, and the nurturing of young talent like Gill could prove to be the recipe for success as the Titans look to reclaim their spot at the top of the IPL.