Gujarat Titans (GT) face the grueling task of playing their third high-stakes match at a third different venue in just six days when they take the field this Sunday in Ahmedabad. Despite the taxing schedule, captain Shubman Gill remains unfazed by the logistical challenge, though he did concede that their well-rested opponents, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), might hold a slight physical edge heading into the grand finale.
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Typically, the IPL knockout stages are restricted to just two venues to minimize travel fatigue for the competing teams. However, this year's unique scheduling format has given the winner of Qualifier 1 a significantly larger advantage, allowing RCB to rest and prepare comfortably while the Titans navigated a frantic cross-country schedule.
"Yeah, I mean, Dharamsala [the venue for the first qualifier] is kind of a difficult venue to get there and travel. Yes, physically they might have an advantage, but I think finals are all about mental [strength], so the team that is mentally up there for the challenge is the one that's going to win," Gill said after GT's win over RR in Qualifier 2.
The playing conditions in Ahmedabad are perfectly suited to the Titans, amplifying both the squad’s core strengths and their overall team construction. This comfort level has been on full display throughout the current season, with the team dominant at home, winning five out of the seven matches they have contested at the venue so far.
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Furthermore, the Narendra Modi Stadium has historically been a fortress for the franchise during the business end of the tournament. Of the three high-stakes knockout matches they have played at this venue over the years, they have emerged victorious in two, a stellar run that famously includes their historic IPL 2022 championship triumph.
"Honestly, I don't really get [the issue of] burden of expectations [of playing another final in Ahmedabad]. You know, there are advantages. That's how I see it. There's familiarity when we play there. We know the wicket and the ground. So we know what kind of cricket we need to play there to be able to win. So in that context, I see it as an advantage because there's a little bit of familiarity," he added.
Following his non-selection for the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Shubman Gill has responded on the field by showcasing a much more aggressive and attacking intent, particularly during the powerplay overs of this IPL campaign. He has dynamically shifted gears at the top of the order, taking the attack to the opposition bowlers right from the start.
This newfound aggression is reflected in his striking powerplay run rate, where he has been scoring at an impressive 9.55 runs an over during the first six overs. Remarkably, Gill has managed this heightened scoring rate without compromising on the heavy volume of runs that Gujarat Titans heavily prioritize from their top-order batters.
"I'd be happy to play if I get picked for the [India] T20 team, but honestly I want to keep working on my game, doesn't matter what format it is. I want to keep getting better as a T20 batsman, as an ODI batsman, as a Test batsman. Cricket is such a game, you can never really get perfect [at it], but obviously you can strive for it and that's what I try to do," he concluded.