Ahead of Gujarat Titans’ high-stakes clash with Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Monday, their director of cricket Vikram Solanki addressed the media on Sunday, where he spoke about the vital roles of both head coach Ashish Nehra and captain Shubman Gill in shaping the team’s IPL 2025 campaign. Solanki reserved special praise for Ashish Nehra, crediting him as a major factor in pacer Mohammed Siraj’s resurgence this season.
From discussing tactical decisions made at the auction table to praising Gill’s evolving leadership and stressing the importance of respecting every opponent, Solanki also offered detailed insights into the Titans’ mindset. With the league nearing its halfway mark and competition intensifying, Solanki reaffirmed GT’s confidence in their squad’s depth, preparation, and adaptability.
Ashish Nehra the influential coach of the Gujarat Titans
Ashish Nehra took over the responsibility as the head coach of Gujarat Titans in 2022 and went on to win the title in 2022. They were the finalists in 2023. Ashish Nehra has discussed the challenges of coaching the franchise and spoke on the need for stability for the franchise in a fast-paced tournament like the IPL. He also brought up how many changes are made in the squad after the auction and how much effort the management has to make to build the team from scratch in the global event.
According to Cricbuzz, Ashish Nehra and his team are expected to complete their contract. The former India pacer signed a three-year extension after guiding GT to their maiden title in 2022. The success in the first season itself saw Nehra become one of the highest-paid coaches in IPL, with an annual salary of close to INR 8 crore.
The team made it to the second consecutive final in IPL 2023 but lost to Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Ahead of IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya left GT to rejoin Mumbai Indians, while Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the season due to an injury. Even Rashid Khan was not fully fit, which impacted the display.
Ashish Nehra had to work closely with new captain Shubman Gill, but the partnership didn’t yield good results, and Gujarat finished eighth in the points table. However, tactical changes in the thought process and strong bidding process at the Auction to make a strong team changed fortunes for Ashish Nehra and the GT team in 2025, who are currently sitting in the top position at the halfway stage in IPL 2025.
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has revived Mohammed Siraj’s morale, says Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki. Siraj, with 11 wickets in seven matches, is key for GT.
Ashish Nehra has been a big influence- Vikram Solanki
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has been a “big influence” in reviving the sagging morale of Mohammed Siraj, who was sidelined from India’s white-ball setup following their T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, feels their Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki. With 11 wickets in seven matches, the former RCB pacer has played a key role in GT, currently occupying the top spot in the IPL 2025 points table.
He is the team’s third-highest wicket-taker and just three behind the Purple Cap holder, Prasidh Krishna. His season-best figures of 4/17 came against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“There is no doubt that Ashish has been a big influence. They obviously have a very good connection,” Solanki said on the eve of their match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Siraj has also missed out on a spot in the Champions Trophy squad and was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the mega auction. But Gujarat Titans showed faith in him and bought him for Rs 12.25 crore.
“As far as confidence is concerned, there is probably no better coach, I don’t think, than Ashish Nehra in instilling some confidence in players. I might be slightly biased, of course, as far as that view is concerned. So, I’ll acknowledge that,” Solanki said.
“But it just seems as though we’ve got a guy that has something to prove… He’s obviously disappointed as any cricketer is when they’re not selected. Everybody wants to play at the highest level possible. So, I’m sure he was disappointed.
“But he’s channelled that disappointment in working hard and, I suppose, having a real thought about what he wants to do. And he’s got a great coach in Ashish Nehra just helping him as far as his performance is concerned. So, long may that continue. Long may that connection continue. And long may Siraj continue to thrive.
“But we must also acknowledge the work that Siraj has done and respect that. I don’t want for a second to take away all the hard work that Siraj has done also,” he added.
Asked if Siraj had any technical issues to address, Solanki said:
“No, I don’t think so. There have been a number of guys who might have said that he perhaps should have been selected. Selection is a matter of opinion. Those that are tasked with that job at the time made a decision. Of course, you respect that.”
Defending champions KKR are struggling this season, languishing in the bottom half of the table with three losses in seven matches. Their biggest setback came when they were bowled out for 95 while chasing 112 against Punjab Kings. Despite KKR’s form, Solanki said GT are not taking any opposition lightly.
“Anybody on any given day in the IPL can beat any other team. They are all quality teams. We will always respect each and every team. If you think of the history, as far as KKR are concerned, they have always been a strong side.
Meanwhile, Gujarat are comfortably sitting on top of the points table with five wins from seven matches having ten points to their name. The Shubman Gill-led side will look to continue their winning momentum against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 21 and further consolidate their pole position.
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