Follow UsGujarat Titans are the first team to qualify for the knockouts in this edition of the Indian Premier League after recording a comprehensive 34-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday, May 15.
With nine wins in 13 league matches, the defending champions have also confirmed their spot in the top two of the points table, giving them an extra opportunity to secure their place in the summit clash.
After being asked to bat first, the home team were powered to 188 runs in the first innings courtesy off a sublime century from Shubman Gill. The right-handed batter smashed 101 off 58 deliveries, studded with 13 boundaries and one maximum to help Titans post a formidable first-innings total.
In the post-match press conference, Mithun Manhas, the Assistant Coach of the Titans shared insights on the tournament and said, "The whole tournament has been a roller coaster ride for most of the teams."
"We have qualified in our 13th game, which gives an indication of how the points table is moving up and down. We have the firepower till the end, and at times when you're hammering the other team upfront and then you lose momentum, and you have to start again."
"You have to respect the good ball and when you don't do that, you see results like these happen," he added.
The skipper of the Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya did not bowl in the last two league matches against Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, Manhas stated it was only to give him some more time to rest and recover from a stiff back.
"Hardik is pretty much okay. We still have the liberty to give him rest, and we have the options, and that’s why he’s not bowling. Otherwise, he would have bowled. He’s pretty much fine, and we just want him to be fit 100 per cent. He’s just giving himself some extra time, that’s all."
"It depends on the individual and what he has been feeling on that particular day. They have been playing cricket day in and day out, so it’s about keeping them fit - mentally and physically and giving them that cushion," Manhas added.
Prior to the clash, the Titans were dealt with a massive blow as Vijay Shankar picked up an injury and was not available for selection in this game.
"There’s nothing to worry about. It is just a small niggle, and we have the option that is why he didn’t play, but Vijay Shankar is fine," he said.
The game also marked the return of Yash Dayal to the playing XI after the youngster was smashed for five sixes in the final over by Rinku Singh. The left-arm seamer scalped the prized wicket of Abhishek Sharma in the second over to give the team a perfect start in their bid to defend 189 runs.
"A player is the direct product of the environment. You have to nurture him. It’s like a flower. If there’s something wrong with the flower, you just don’t pluck it and throw it away. You need to take care of the boys - physically and mentally."
"You are like a family for two months. If you understand them and they trust you, there’s nothing like that because then they will open up to you. We are lucky enough to have played this format and played in the IPL. We understand the game, and that has really been an advantage for us," he concluded.
Gujarat Titans will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last league game on Sunday, May 21, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.