New Delhi: Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill fired back at critics ahead of the IPL 2026, which will start on March 28. He is the captain of the national side in ODI and Test format, but had a rollercoaster career in T20Is.
Gill was named India’s T20I vice-captain ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup, but struggled to perform in the tournament, and was then dropped from T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Speaking at the press conference ahead of IPL 2026, the GT skipper said that he has done well for the franchise in the last four years and has nothing to prove.
“I think if you look at the past three or four seasons, I think I have the most runs in the IPL. So I don’t think I have anything to prove in this season, particularly. And the four years that I have played for this team, I think we have done decently well as a team,” Gill said at a press conference ahead of the IPL.
He has been the highest run-getter in the IPL since 2022, amassing 2499 runs at an average of 46.2. Only star RCB batter Virat Kohli is behind him, who scored 2378 runs. Gill smashed 650 runs last season, at an average of 50.00.
After that season and a successful Test series against England, Gill was recalled to the T20I setup as vice-captain. He also played the first three T20I games against Australia, but failed to score in 15 innings during last year, and was left out of the T20 World Cup 2026 team.
“So for me, I think the goal doesn’t change. Make my team win as many matches as possible. Obviously, as a team, when you are playing, if you are playing the IPL, you are playing to win the IPL. If you are playing a series, you are looking to beat the other team in the series,” he added.
‘I don’t think there should be an impact player’Gill also criticised the Impact Player rule and said there is no need for it. The rule was introduced in 2023 and will stay at least till 2027.
“Personally for me I don’t think there should be an impact player. I think cricket in general is an 11-player game. And on wickets where we play, on the grounds that we play, adding an extra batsman, I think it takes the skill out of the game,” Gill said.
Gujarat Titans will face Punjab Kings in their opening match of the IPL 2026 at the New Chandigarh Stadium on March 31.
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