Shubman Gill, a rising young cricketing star in India, continues to be very successful on and off the field of play. As current captain of the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, Gill is performing with noticeable calmness and composure and has only strengthened the belief that he will soon captain India in all formats. Along with his growing status as an athlete, his personal life has also created headlines, with a never-ending string of speculation regarding his relationships.

Unsurprisingly, one of the rumors most talked about has been related to a supposed relationship with Sara Tendulkar, daughter of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Recently, in an interview, Shubman Gill finally commented on the ongoing rumors and explained there was no truth or accuracy to them. Although he did not name anyone directly in his comments, he was clear that he had been single for over three years and the rumors were unrelated to reality. In fact, Gill was surprised that he was linked to people he had never even seen or met.

Shubman Opens Up on Relationship Buzz

Gill said, "I have been single for over three years, and there have been so many speculations and rumors talking about me with different people. Sometimes, it is so ridiculous that I have never even seen or met that person, but the rumors are out there." His statement underlines that his sole focus remains on his professional career, leaving no room for distractions like relationships.

Watch the video here

Shubman Gill has finally said it about his dating rumours with sara tendulkar. pic.twitter.com/GrThDLxCoR

— mufaddla parody (@mufaddl_parody) April 26, 2025

Also Read: "Top 3 Auction blunders that led to CSK's struggles in IPL 2025"

It is curious that the gossip surrounding Gill and Sara Tendulkar was mostly fueled by a few harmless Instagram interactions—despite the fact that the two have never been spotted in public together. The baseless gossip spread like wildfire with absolutely no foundation to stand on. Gill has previously been linked to actress Sonam Bajwa as well, but there's just a lot of speculation about that one too. 

Now that Gill has made his position clear, fans and media may finally stop putting so much attention into what is not important and focus on what is important - his remarkable achievements on the cricket field. As Gill continues to improve as a cricketer and leader, he very much doesn't want off-the-field distractions to hinder his journey.

On April 22, 2025, a tragic terrorist attack took place in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 28 people, most of whom were tourists, in the beautiful surroundings of Baisaran Valley, commonly referred to as "Mini Switzerland." The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), which is a splinter group of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and was one of the worst attacks since the 2019 Pulwama attack and was targeted at civilians. This attack claimed 24 Indian tourists, two locals, and two foreigners, with more than 20 people reported as injured. The global cricketing community demonstrated a rare and extraordinary act of solidarity as players, boards, and fans sided with the victims and their families and condemned the attack on civilians, stood against terrorism, and expressed a united front.

Indian Cricketers and IPL Teams Lead Tributes

Indian cricketers, both current and past, took to social media, particularly X, really expressing their sadness and anger and supporting peace and the bravery of security forces. Virat Kohli, who captained India previously, tweeted, "Devastated with the news from Pahalgam. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. Violence has no place in our world. Praying for peace and strength for all those affected." Sachin Tendulkar, a cricketing icon, tweeted, "Shocked and saddened by the inhumane act in Pahalgam. My deepest condolences to the victims families. India tands united against terrorism." Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, demanded justice, posting, “Praying for the families of the deceased. Those responsible will pay. India will strike. #Pahalgam.”

Also Read: Top 3 Reasons why Lucknow Super Giants Lost to Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 Match 40

Yuvraj Singh called for unity, saying, "Deeply saddened by the attack on tourists in Pahalgam. Sending prayers to the victims and their families. Let’s unite for hope and humanity." Shubman Gill denounced violence, saying, "Heartbreaking to hear about the attack in Pahalgam. My prayers are with the victims. Violence has no place in our country." KL Rahul expressed, "Heartbreaking to hear about the terrorist attack in Kashmir. My thoughts are with the families. Wishing peace and strength." Virender Sehwag lamented, "Deeply pained to hear of the indecent terrorist attack on innocent tourists in #Pahalgam. Prayers for the injured." Irfan Pathan, who was in Kashmir just before this attack, said, "Every time an innocent life is lost, humanity is lost. This pain feels too close."

IPL teams also condemned the violence. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) expressed, "Deeply saddened and shocked… Our hearts go out to the families of the innocent lives lost in Pahalgam." Delhi Capitals (DC) expressed, "Heartbroken by the tragic loss of lives in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. #StandAgainstTerror." Rajasthan Royals (RR) stated, "Devastated by the senseless violence in Pahalgam. We stand united with the victims and the families and are praying for peace." Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wrote, "Shocked by the horrific atrocity that took place in Pahalgam. Our deepest condolences to all the families affected. Violence has no place in our society." Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) wrote, "Deeply pained by the tragedy of Pahalgam. Our prayers are with the victims and their loved ones." These posts... dedicated to the victims and families and posted on X... are a demonstration of the commitment by IPL to unity in opposition of terror.

Indian Cricket Board and Fans Respond

Messages also poured in from international cricketing organizations and players. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a statement: “The BCCI mourns the loss of lives in the Pahalgam attack and stands in solidarity with the victims and their families. Cricket is a sport which unites the masses and we are firmly against such divisive, violent acts.” 

Fans from around the globe took to social media using tweets like #StandwithPahalgam and #CricketforPeace and made cricket forums into places of memorials. The attack, which targeted a tourism hotspot, struck a nerve with cricketers who had seen and appreciated and felt humbled by Kashmir that intensify their emotions. It also sparked debates on India-Pakistan cricketing ties, with Goswami’s views reflecting broader frustrations.

Also Read: Heartbreak in Pahalgam: Ritika Sajdeh reacts to tragic terror attack

The Pahalgam attack is a wake-up call for both the fragility of peace and human resilience. In a sport where competition is fierce, the cricketing world demonstrated its ability to show unity and compassion off the field, exemplifying once again the ability of cricket to break barriers and bring together people in solidarity in the face of terror.

IPL Teams that have condemned about #PahalgamTerrorAttack
1- Lucknow super giants #lsg pic.twitter.com/Qmiq2u92RR

— JosD92 (@JosD92official) April 23, 2025

Thinking of every single life lost, hurt and changed forever in Pahalgam today. Om Shanti 🙏

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 22, 2025

Shocked and Saddened! We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to the innocent lives lost in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. 🙏

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 23, 2025

Praying for the families of the deceased. Those responsible for this will pay. India will strike. #Pahalgam

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 22, 2025

Heartbreaking to hear about the attack in Pahalgam. My prayers are with the victims and their families. Violence like this has no place in our country.

— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) April 22, 2025

'Justice To Be Served': Virat Kohli And Hardik Pandya Condemn Pahalgam Terror Attack, Express Solidarity With Victims
.
.
.#ViratKohli #Hardikpandya #PahalgamTerrorAttcakhttps://t.co/jpCpIBgtja

— Republic (@republic) April 23, 2025

Heartbreaking to hear about the tragic attack in Pahalgam. Innocent lives lost to senseless violence. Praying for strength and peace for the affected families. Let's stand together against hate. #Pahalgam

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) April 22, 2025

Every time an innocent life is lost, humanity loses. It’s heartbreaking to see and hear about what happened in Kashmir today. I was just there couple of days ago — this pain feels too close.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 22, 2025

Young wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan has shared his top 5 opening batsmen whom he would like to partner with the opening stand in the IPL. These are some of the cricket's all-time greats, and Ishan has huge admiration for all of them.

1. Virender Sehwag: With his aggressive batting style, Sehwag's bold attitude would make him a thrilling opening partner. Ishan likes Sehwag's capability to attack bowlers from the beginning.

2. Sachin Tendulkar: The "Master Blaster" is arguably the greatest cricketer of all time.Ishan would love to start with Sachin, watching his style and the calmness he possesses in the game.

Ishan Kishan's Top 5 Openers in IPL, He would love to Open with:

- Virendra Sehwag.
- Sachin Tendulkar.
- Rohit Sharma.
- Shubman Gill.
- Abhishek Sharma. pic.twitter.com/H3pu0e0nb7

— Sports Culture (@SportsCulture24) March 26, 2025

ALSO SEE: Watch: Swastik Chikara Talks About Virat Kohli & Casually Checks His Bag

3. Rohit Sharma: Being one of the most successful captains and openers in the history of IPL, Rohit Sharma is a player Ishan looks up to. His pairing with Ishan would be a great combination of experience and youth.

4. Shubman Gill: Young and gifted as an opener, Shubman Gill's cool and aggressive temperament would be an ideal partner for Ishan in the top order.

5. Abhishek Sharma: With loads of potential and a talented young player, Abhishek Sharma's attacking approach would balance Ishan's game and prove to be a superb opening duo.

These 5 openers are all geniuses and would bring their special kind of playing style to the IPL For Ishan Kish

1. Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans) 

Shubman Gill continues to demonstrate that he is one of the best batters in modern-day cricket. He won the Orange Cap in 2023 and scored freely in 2024 as well. Gill's stroking ability and timing create a good chance for him to be at the top of the rankings again accounted again. Will he pull it off?

2. Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

King Kohli is back, and he is hungrier than before! After winning the Orange Cap in 2024, the RCB great has his sights set on back-to-back wins. With over 8,000 IPL runs, he has been a batting machine for years now. Fitness, mental strength, and ability to capitalize on any bowling attack heads him to be a major contender once again. Will Kohli reign supreme amongst the IPL yet again?  

3. Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)

Taking on the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings is itself some excruciating pressure but Ruturaj Gaikwad has shown it was time to put in the hard work. He was the second-highest run-scorer in 2024, and based only on his calm, yet attacking style of play, looks geared to make a run at the pinnacle of leads.

4. Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans)

Not many players can match the invincible, menacing or destructive batting of Jos Buttler. The former Orange Cap holder is now with the Gujarat Titans, and his unique ability to dismantle bowling attacks makes him a huge threat. If Buttler gets going, bowlers will surely not sleep easy!

Also Read: Will MS Dhoni Retire in 2025? CSK’s Future Without Thala

5. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)

Quickly becoming one of the most engrossing young batters in the IPL, Yashasvi Jaiswal has proven already that he can take down the very best. His fearless brand of Cricket and consistency at the top places him in serious contention for winning the Orange Cap this season. Has this become Jaiswal's breakout IPL season?

6. Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

In the way that Travis Head made a mockery of the competition in the IPL 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary. There was no doubt he was the HORSEPOWER bat in the batting lineup for SRH playing a decisive role with extreme aggressive nature and with an unprecedented strike rate. If he continues in the same vein, there is literally no ceiling of what he can achieve with the Orange Cap in the IPL!

7. KL Rahul (Delhi Capitals)

A new team, a new story! KL Rahul is now with the Capitals and will definitely be keen to make a statement. He has been one of the more consistent batters in IPL history and could provide serious contention for the Orange Cap if he finds his rhythm quickly. he could be a serious Orange Cap conender.

8. Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

The 360° Genius Even though Suryakumar Yadav is regarded as one of the best T20 batters on the planet, he has never yet achieved the Orange Cap! He is a law of the game nightmare for bowlers with his unorthodox but effective styles. If not this IPL season, will 2025 do it for SKY?

Also Read: Mumbai Indians have released their new anthem for IPL 2025

Who will wear the Orange Cap in 2025?

The IPL is unpredictable every season brings new heroes. Will we see a young player take the honors, or will an experienced star once again take home the trophy?

Who do you all think are the favorites for the Orange Cap this season? Let us know your predictions!

IPL 2025: Captains' Salaries and Their Captaincy Records

1. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)- Rishabh Pant - 27cr

Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is now the most expensive player in IPL history. After playing eight years with Delhi Capitals, he will play for a new team in IPL 2025, as Lucknow Super Giants signed him for a record price of 27Cr. Rishabh Pant has played 111 matches in the IPL, with 43 of them as captain. Under his Captaincy, the team has won 23 games, lost 19, and one match ended in a tie.

2.Punjab Kings - Shreyas Iyer: ₹26.75 Crore

Punjab Kings are looking strong ahead of IPL 2025 and they brought last year’s winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, for the new season. On top of that, Shreyas Iyer has set records of ₹26.75 Crore in the mega auction. Shreyas Iyer has played 115 IPL matches, with 69 of them as captain. Under his Captaincy, the team has won 38 games, lost 29, and two matches ended in a tie.

3.Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad: ₹18 Crore

Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue as Chennai Super King's captain for the second season in IPL 2025. He was one of CSK’s key players retained before last year’s mega auction. The Chennai Super King's franchise bought for ₹18 crore, making him one of their highest-paid players this season. Ruturaj Gaikwad has played 66 IPL matches, with 14 of them as captain. Under his Captaincy, the team won 7 games, and 7 lost.

4.Rajasthan Royals - Sanju Samson: ₹18 Crore

Sanju Samson will continue as Rajasthan Royal's captain for the fifth season of IPL 2025. He got paid more in the retention, with his IPL salary increasing to ₹18 crore. Sanju Samson has played 167 IPL matches, with 61 of them as captain. Under his Captaincy, the team has won 31 games, lost 29, and one match ended in a tie.

ALSO READ: How to Buy LSG VS GT Match NO 26 Tickets :IPL 2025

5.Sunrisers Hyderabad - Pat Cummins: ₹18 Crore

Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins joined Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹20.50 crore in IPL 2024. SRH has kept him as their captain for IPL 2025, and this season, he will earn ₹18 crore this year. Pat Cummins has played 58 matches in the IPL, with 14 of them as captain. Under his leadership, the team has won 8 games and lost 6, with no matches ending in a tie.

6.Gujarat Titans - Shubman Gill: ₹16.5 Crore

Shubman Gill was made captain of Gujarat Titans before IPL 2024 after Hardik Pandya left. At that time, his IPL salary was ₹8 crore. Now, ahead of IPL 2025, GT has kept him for ₹16.5 crore. Shubman Gill has played 103 IPL matches in the IPL, with 14 of them as captain. Under his Captaincy, the team has won 5 games and lost 7, and 2 matches have ended in a tie.

 7.Delhi Capitals- Axar Patel: ₹16.5cr

In IPL 2025 Delhi Capitals announced Axar Patel as a Captain. Delhi Capitals retained Axar for ₹16.5 crore in IPL 2025. He is a very crucial player for the team, contributing with both bat and ball. Axar Patel has been a key player for Delhi Captails in the IPL, performing well with both bat and ball. In 150 matches, he has scored 1,653 runs, with his highest score being 66. He has an average of 21.47 and a strike rate of 130.88. Axar Patel took 123 wickets in the IPL, with an average of 30.55 and an economy rate of 7.28. His best bowling figures are 4/21.

8.Mumbai Indians - Hardik Pandya: ₹16.35 Crore

After a challenging season in IPL 2024, five-time champions Mumbai Indians have trusted Hardik Pandya to lead them again in IPL 2025. He rejoined the team last year for ₹15 crore. Hardik Pandya has played 137 matches in the IPL, with 45 of them as captain. Under his Captaincy, the team has won 26 games and lost 19, with no matches ending in a tie.

9.Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Rajat Patidar: ₹11 Crore

Royal Challengers Bengaluru is beginning a new journey in IPL 2025 with Rajat Patidar as their captain. RCB team takes retention for ₹11 crore this season. Rajat Patidar, a strong middle-order batter, has played 27 IPL matches, scoring 799 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.85. His highest score of 112* shows his ability to play match-winning innings in crucial games.

10.Kolkata Knight Riders - Ajinkya Rahane: ₹1.50 Crore

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will have Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain for IPL 2025. The experienced batter joined the team for ₹1.5 crore in the mega auction. Ajinkya Rahane has played 185 IPL matches in the IPL, with 25 of them as captain. Under his Captaincy, the team has won 9 games and lost 16, with no matches ending in a tie.

The Indian cricket team has always been a force to be reckoned with, but their recent showings hint at a level of control we've never seen before. A key stat from the 2020s sheds light on how Indian batsmen are setting new standards in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Batting Exallence Since 2020
An interesting pattern has shown up in ODIs: five batsmen worldwide have hit 2000+ runs while keeping an average above 45 and a strike rate above 90. , all five are Indian.

Dominance Since 2022: A Well-Rounded Batting Order
A closer look at how Indian batsmen have performed since 2022 shows why this might be one of the most complete batting lineups India has ever fielded. A mix of smart run-taking big hitting, and understanding of the game makes them a tough challenge for any bowling team.

What Makes This Indian Team Special? 

• Well-Rounded Batting Order – India boasts an ideal combination of aggressive batsmen steady players, and those who finish games .  
• High-Scoring and Steady – Scoring quickly while keeping high averages is uncommon in today's cricket. 
• Adaptability – Team members adjust their playing style to suit different game situations providing both stability and aggression when necessary. 
• Smart Play – Few dot balls and clever boundary-hitting strategies make them an effective and unpredictable batting group. 

Also Read: India’s Champions Trophy Triumph: Twitter Explodes with Reactions

Are They Among the All-Time Greats?  
India's control of ODI batting in recent years can't be disputed. Several players maintain outstanding averages and scoring rates setting a high bar in today's limited-overs cricket. The only thing missing to cement their place in history? More ICC trophies.  

As the team keeps setting new records, it's reasonable to say we're watching one of the best ODI teams ever.

Shubman Gill Sent a message to BCCI By Showing Magnificent Century for Punjab in Ranji Trophy

Shubman Gill, a top Class cricket player from India, did something great. Shubman Gill scored 100 runs for his team, Punjab, while they were playing a game against Karnataka. They were competing in the Ranji Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Shubman was the Captian of his team in this very important game. Things were looking very bad for Punjab because when Shubman came to bat, they only had 84 runs and had already lost 6 players.

It seemed likely they may potentially lose easily. But Shubman wasn't going to let that happen. Shubman Gill stayed calm and hit the ball really well. Gill hit it past the boundary's 14 times and 3 Sixes . Gill did all of the aforementioned in just 159 balls, which is amazingly great especially because it helped his team not give up hope.

ALSO READ: A fan entered the ground to meet Rohit Sharma during the Ranji trophy match today

HUNDRED FOR CAPTAIN SHUBMAN GILL...!!!!

- A terrific knock from Gill when there was no support from any Punjab batter, a One man show at Chinnaswamy, He is preparing well for Champions Trophy 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/HpesxgIoJh

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 25, 2025

In the first part of the game, Karnataka batted first and scored a strikingly Well  and they scored 475 runs. When it was Punjab's turn, they started losing players fast. But then Shubman, who was batting right at the start, took over and scored many runs by himself and the team. His team admired him because he showed them how to do good Cricket in Tough times and remained easygoing under all the pressure. Gill played as the brilliant centerpiece of the game. Shubman's 100 runs were very important because they helped Punjab stay in the game when it seemed as though they might not have any chance to win the game.

Even though it was very difficult and some people might have doubted him (somehow), leaving no mote--he showed that he's one of India's best players, definitively. People who enjoy cricket are excited to watch how well Punjab does because of what Gill did in the game. Punjab wants to score a lot of runs so they can attempt to win against Karnataka, who are very good.

Indian International Batters Struggle in Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Return

The return of Indian international batters to the domestic cricket in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 has been far from ideal, with Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal failing to make a significant impact in their respective matches.

1. Shubman Gill (Punjab vs Karnataka)

Punjab's star batter Shubman Gill, who recently had a below-par run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, continued to struggle as he was dismissed for just 4 runs off 8 balls in Punjab’s first innings against Karnataka. Gill began confidently, striking a boundary through the covers off Abhilash Shetty but was soon caught behind off the same bowler. Gill's recent form has been concerning, with only 93 runs in five innings during India's Test series against Australia.

 Shubman Gill (Punjab vs Karnataka)

Score: 4 runs (8 balls)

Match Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium

Indian Test top 3 in Ranji Trophy:

Rohit - 3 (19).
Jaiswal - 4 (8).
Gill - 4 (8). pic.twitter.com/w9YqTFVZIS

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 23, 2025

2. Rohit Sharma (Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir)

Indian captain Rohit Sharma's much-anticipated return to Mumbai's Ranji Trophy side after nearly a decade ended in disappointment. Rohit managed to score just 3 runs off 19 balls, falling to a leading edge off J&K pacer Umar Nazir, which was safely caught at short cover. Having struggled in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a total of 31 runs in five innings, Rohit’s form remains a concern ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

ALSO READ: Arshdeep Singh becomes the leading T20I wicket-taker for India

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir)

Score: 3 runs (19 balls)

Match Venue: BKC Ground

3. Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir)

Young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal, known for his aggressive style, also endured a tough outing, scoring only 5 runs off 8 balls. Despite starting positively with a boundary, he was dismissed LBW by Auqib Nabi, who trapped him with a delivery that skidded low. Jaiswal, playing his first Ranji Trophy match in two years, would have hoped for a better comeback after his strong performances in international cricket.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir)

Score: 5 runs (8 balls)

Match Venue: BKC Ground

The trio's underwhelming performances in the domestic arena highlight their ongoing struggles and the challenges of transitioning back to first-class cricket after international commitments.

India extended their dominance in Test cricket at home with a resounding 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday, September 22. After putting up 376 runs in the first innings, India bowled out Bangladesh for a paltry 149, securing a commanding 227-run lead. In the second innings, India added 287 more, setting an imposing 515-run target. Despite skipper Najmul Hasan Shanto’s fighting 82, Bangladesh crumbled to 234 all out, handing India a convincing win to open their Test season.

Though Bangladesh showed early promise in the match, dominating the first two sessions, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja led India’s resurgence. Ashwin’s crucial century and six wickets, combined with Jadeja’s all-round contributions, turned the tide in India’s favor. Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal bowling further dismantled Bangladesh, giving India control after the first innings. In the second innings, centuries from Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill ensured India’s dominance before the bowlers sealed the match.

Let’s take a closer look at the standout performances from India’s heroes in this commanding win:

Ravichandran Ashwin (113 runs, 6 wickets)

Ashwin was instrumental in India’s victory, delivering an all-round masterclass. Coming to bat when India was struggling at 144 for 6, Ashwin’s partnership with Jadeja (199 runs) turned the innings around. Ashwin’s splendid knock of 113, his 6th Test century, set up a solid platform. His brilliance continued with the ball as he took 6 crucial wickets in the second innings, ensuring Bangladesh’s collapse and earning him the Player of the Match award.

Ravindra Jadeja (86 runs, 5 wickets)

Jadeja proved once again why he is one of the most reliable all-rounders in Test cricket. His 86 runs in the first innings, coupled with five wickets across both innings (2 in the first, 3 in the second), anchored India’s dominance. Jadeja is now just one wicket away from reaching the milestone of 300 Test wickets.

Rishabh Pant (148 runs)

Returning to Test cricket after nearly two years, Pant made a memorable comeback. His quickfire 39 in the first innings was overshadowed by a superb 109 in the second, as he took on the Bangladeshi bowlers with his trademark aggressive style. Pant’s form is a huge boost for India as they gear up for the Australia Test series later this year.

See Also: "This 100 was special because I love playing in Chennai" - Rishabh Pant

Shubman Gill (119 runs)

Despite an early setback with an eight-ball duck in the first innings, Gill roared back in the second innings, scoring an unbeaten 119. This was his 5th Test century, reinforcing his status as one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket.

Jasprit Bumrah (5 wickets)

Bumrah’s incisive bowling played a key role in dismantling Bangladesh’s batting lineup. His four wickets in the first innings set the tone for India’s dominance, and his crucial breakthrough in the second innings, dismissing Zakir Hasan, triggered Bangladesh’s collapse in their 515-run chase.

India now heads into the next Test with a 1-0 lead in the series, with momentum firmly on their side.

Gujarat Titans faced a challenging Indian Premier League season in the post-Hardik Pandya era, managing only 12 points from 14 games, with their last two matches washed out due to rain. Hardik Pandya, who had led them to the championship in 2022, departed to join his former team, Mumbai Indians. This left a significant void in the team’s leadership and overall dynamic. Shubman Gill was entrusted with the captaincy, a considerable responsibility for the young cricketer, especially in a season marked by the absence of star pacer Mohammed Shami due to injury.

The team’s struggles were compounded by other issues. Rashid Khan, a key player for GT, was returning from an injury and was not at his best for a significant part of the tournament. His usual dominance with the ball was visibly lacking, which affected the team’s overall bowling performance. Additionally, GT’s middle-order batting appeared weak and inconsistent, failing to provide the necessary stability and firepower in crucial moments. Their fielding efforts also left much to be desired, often falling short of the high standards required in a competitive league like the IPL.

With their season now concluded, it’s time to reflect on what went wrong for Gujarat Titans. The absence of experienced players like Hardik and Shami left a leadership and performance vacuum that the team struggled to fill. Injuries to key players further hampered their campaign, while the middle-order batting woes and subpar fielding added to their troubles. As GT looks ahead, addressing these issues will be crucial for a stronger comeback in future seasons.

See Also: IPL 2024: CSK Review: What factors contributed to the Yellow Army’s inability to retain the IPL title?

The Hardik Pandya void

Filling the void left by their former title-winning skipper Hardik Pandya was always going to be a monumental task for the Gujarat Titans. Hardik was not only an inspirational leader but also a match-winner whose presence instilled confidence in his teammates. His departure left a significant gap, both in leadership and performance, that the team struggled to fill. The players’ strong faith in Hardik made it even more challenging to move on without him, as his contributions on and off the field were irreplaceable.

In Hardik’s absence, the responsibility of captaincy fell on Shubman Gill. While Gill is a talented player, his tenure as skipper was a mixed bag. He faced the daunting task of stepping into Hardik’s shoes, which proved difficult given Hardik’s unique influence and match-winning abilities. The Titans struggled to find a player of Hardik’s calibre to consistently win matches, which significantly impacted their performance throughout the season.

Rashid Khan, David Miller not up to the best

The lack of balance in the Gujarat Titans setup was not solely due to Hardik Pandya’s exit. Key players’ form and fitness issues exacerbated their challenges. Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, coming off a back injury, struggled to regain his usual effectiveness. One of his most forgettable spells came against RCB, where he endured figures of 0/51. Overall, Rashid managed to take only 10 wickets in 12 matches, marking his lowest-ever wickets tally in the IPL.

Similarly, David Miller’s contribution was limited this season. He played just nine matches and scored 210 runs, with his highest score being 55 against DC. Miller’s reduced role and lack of impactful performances further highlighted the imbalance in the team. These issues, combined with the absence of their former inspirational skipper, left the Titans struggling to find their footing throughout the season.