Gujarat Titans’ new batting coach Matthew Hayden was known for smashing big shots with a Mongoose bat during his playing days in the IPL. Now that he has retired, Matthew Hayden was asked who he’d like to gift his Mongoose bat and he named GT’s star all-rounder Rahul Tewatia.
At the ‘Shubhaarambh’ event of Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Matthew Hayden answered questions from the media. Hayden was asked to name the GT player he’d pick if he had to give his Mongoose bat to one of them.
Matthew Hayden on gifting his mongoose bat to Rahul Tewatia
Without any hesitation, whatsoever, Hayden pointed towards Rahul Tewatia sitting next to him and said: “If I had to hand my Mongoose bat to someone from GT, it’d have to be Rahul Tewatia. He has the power. You’ll get it mate.”Â
Glenn Phillips speaks about his mindset in taking catches
Apart from Hayden, the Titans’ star Kiwi all-rounder Glenn Phillips was also present at the event, and he was asked about his mindset when he is running to take incredible catches on the field.
In a light-hearted response, Glenn Phillips said: “I am worried when an easy catch comes my way. Hard catches I know I will take, but easy catch, oh I’m worried.”Â
Phillips also named team’s wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler as the GT squad member who is the most intense on a matchday.
Shubman Gill does not want his fast bowlers to be calm
Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill received the loudest cheers from the crowd in Ahmedabad. GT chairman Jinal Mehta and director Shaan Mehta honoured Gill for his extraordinary performance as India’s captain in the away Test series against England in 2025.
After that, Gill participated in a chat with host Mandira Bedi, and coach Ashish Nehra joined them as well. When asked if his players are also calm like him, Gill replied: “I don’t want my fast bowlers to be calm. I want to be fierce just like Ashu Pa was. I’m sure you must have seen videos of how Ashu Pa acknowledged dropped catches when he was playing.”Â
Gill refered to the old clips of Nehra expressing his frustration after his team’s wicket-keepers dropped catches off his bowling in IPL and international cricket.
Prasidh Krishna on reasons behind his aggressive celebrations
GT’s star fast bowler Prasidh Krishna then explained the reason behind his aggressive celebrations. He said: “I grew up playing with elder people who used to bully me. So I always have that switch turned on but I step onto the field.”Â
Prasidh Krishna won the Purple Cap last season and played a pivotal role in GT’s success. It will be interesting to see if Krishna can help the Gujarat Titans win the IPL trophy this season.
The Gujarat Titans are all set to do well this season. They have most bases covered if we may call it that way. But their overdependence on top 3 of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, and Jos Buttler could be worrisome with Buttler out of form at this stage as we speak. But it’s an opportunity for other players to step up. Someone like Glenn Phillips, maybe Jason Holder as well, the newest buy for them.
Gujarat will miss Sherfane Rutherford as he has been traded to MI. But it’s an opportunity for young Indian batters to stand up and be counted in the end of the day. Someone like Rahul Tewatia will be expected to do the role of finisher. Matthew Hayden joining the team as batting coach has the potential of making the side great.
The IPL is upon us starting on 28th March, 2026 with Gujarat starting their campaign a few days later against Punjab Kings.
Also Read:Â IPL 2026: SRH Bank On Power Hitters In Mega Tourney