Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel dismissed claims of GT being a predictable side ahead of Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.
Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel has strongly denied suggestions that GT follow a rigid or predictable template in IPL 2026. Speaking ahead of the high-pressure Qualifier 2 clash against Rajasthan Royals on Friday, Patel insisted that the Titans trust their own style of cricket despite criticism over their batting approach.
GT finished second on the IPL 2026 points table before suffering a heavy 92-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1. They now face Rajasthan Royals for a place in the final, where RCB are already waiting.
Despite questions around GT’s volume-based batting strategy centred around Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, Parthiv defended the team’s methods and highlighted their consistency over the years.
“We were sitting pretty at number 2 on the points table,”
“I know other teams can think whatever they want to think. There are six teams who have not qualified also. And I know the references which we have come from.”
“We have finished number two. And we know what kind of cricket we want to play. And we back ourselves to give results”.
GT Hope To Stop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Early
Much of the spotlight ahead of Qualifier 2 remains on Rajasthan Royals opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his stunning 97 off 29 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Eliminator.
Parthiv praised the 15-year-old sensation but admitted GT’s priority would be to remove him early in the innings.
“I am not a broadcaster now, so I can’t tell you what the plans are,”
“But it looks good the way he is batting, hopefully we will try to dismiss him early. As all the teams have planned, we have seen the videos, hopefully we will execute our plan. But what it exactly is, we’ll only be able to show on the ground”.
The former India wicketkeeper also reiterated that discussions around Sooryavanshi’s age should stop considering the level he has displayed this season.
“I am very happy to see the way he is playing. Last time I said that we should not be talking about his age. I think that’s something which we need to put an end to it. He has been a phenomenal talent just the way he has been playing. It’s great to see”.
“From the opposition’s point of view, we hope that he doesn’t get going tomorrow”.
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Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan And Holder Key To GT’s Plans
While Sooryavanshi currently holds the Orange Cap, Sai Sudharsan remains close behind with another excellent IPL campaign. However, Patel dismissed any need for Sudharsan to drastically increase his strike rate despite comparisons with RR’s explosive opener.
“No, I don’t think there is any kind of temptation to tell Sai Sudharsan to go at a higher strike-rate,”
“He has been very effective. He has been scoring at a fair strike-rate also. It’s not that he is scoring under 100. If someone is scoring at 300, it doesn’t mean that everyone has to strike at 300. But he has been very effective. He is giving us results. So, there is no talk about telling Sudharsan that you need to go higher than 170 strike rate or 200”.
Patel also praised Rashid Khan for returning strongly after a difficult IPL 2025 season affected by injury concerns.
“(After recovery) he has been bowling brilliantly, he has been working really hard. In fact, even today he is here at the training, so we know the kind of bowler he is and how hungry he is to contribute. He always wants to be in the action, he always wants those difficult situations.”
“And that’s the reason why he has been bowling well. There is not a question of Rashid’s skill level at all. We have full trust in him, that’s the reason why he is still part of the GT setup since the inception” Patel added.
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