TATA IPL 2025: Shubman Gill Backs 300-Run Target as Achievable in T20 Cricket
A day before the beginning of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill feels that the game's pace is such that now it is achievable for a batting side to score 300 in the game.
IPL 2024 was a year when the batting records reached new heights, such as Punjab Kings' chase of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders or Sunrisers Hyderabad's highest total of 287/3 of the tournament against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and scoring 125/0, a highest-ever power-play score in the competition against Delhi Capitals.
"The game has accelerated to such an extent that it seems like we can score 300 in a game. Last season, we were very close on several instances. The Impact Player rule brings in a new level of excitement and makes the IPL even more exciting. The greatest thing about the IPL is that each day a different player becomes a superstar".
You always see underappreciated players performing at a top level. The format of the tournament, where you play games and travel every other day, keeps you awake. If you're winning, the momentum continues, with three, four, or even five wins in a row. Injuries can hinder you, though".
“When one or two key players are injured, finding suitable replacements becomes a challenge. Despite these hurdles, IPL remains the most thrilling cricketing event, and every season brings something new for players and fans alike", said Gill to JioHotstar.
Gill, the vice-captain of India in its 2025 Champions Trophy victory, remembered how he used to watch the IPL when he was young and how his favorite player was Sachin Tendulkar, who played for the Mumbai Indians.
"I remember going three to four times with my father to the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. During the second or third year of the IPL, Mumbai Indians had arrived there for training. I must have been nine or ten years old at that time. I even have a picture with Sachin Sir and Glenn Maxwell".
I used to toss balls to them while they were practicing. These are some of my earliest IPL memories. I was very apprehensive, but I already had a knowledge about Sachin Sir. He's the reason why I play cricket. My father is his biggest fan. While my dad was never very keen on posters, we had Sachin's posters in our village.
GT will begin their series against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and Gill spoke regarding the strengths of his team, who won the IPL upon their competition debut in 2022.
"We have a powerful fast-bowling attack. Rashid has been with us, and we have explosive batsmen like Rutherford, Philips, and Butler. Some skilled Indian players like Mahipal and Sai provide depth to our team. The secret to success in a long tournament like the IPL is balance".
"Two or three losses in succession are not a big deal if you are playing the correct way and making good decisions. Team selection and strategy have to be consistent. The more you play according to probability and reason, the more likely you will be to qualify".
"Once you are in the knockout stage, being positive and aggressive is very important. In all the qualifiers and finals that I have played, I have noticed that teams with the right intent are most likely to win", he added.
