Introduction: In the high-octane world of IPL 2025, Gujarat Titans (GT) have emerged as a formidable force, thanks in large part to their dynamic pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. With 15 and 20 wickets respectively, these bowlers have become the backbone of GT’s campaign. Behind their success lies the tactical acumen of head coach Ashish Nehra, whose insights and mentorship have refined their skills, as revealed by veteran pacer Ishant Sharma in an exclusive chat on Star Sports Press Room.
Nehra’s Masterplan for Siraj: Mohammed Siraj, a seasoned international cricketer, has always had a knack for swing bowling, but lacked confidence in his outswing delivery. Nehra identified this hesitation early on and provided a clear directive. ‘Your first ball should always be an out-swinger. Trust it. If the swing diminishes, switch to a wobble-seam approach,’ Ishant quoted Nehra as saying. This simple yet effective advice has allowed Siraj to unsettle batsmen right from the first ball, contributing significantly to his tally of 15 wickets this season.
Prasidh Krishna’s Length Adjustment: For Prasidh Krishna, currently leading the wicket charts with 20 dismissals, Nehra focused on optimizing his natural length. Given Krishna’s towering height, he naturally bowls at a 6-meter length. However, Nehra advised subtle adjustments based on pitch conditions. ‘On red soil, bowl at four and a half meters. On black soil, extend it to five or six meters,’ Ishant revealed. Additionally, Nehra encouraged Krishna to unleash a lethal yorker once confident with his length, a strategy that has paid rich dividends.
Back to Basics with Nehra: Nehra’s coaching philosophy revolves around eliminating unforced errors and sticking to the fundamentals. ‘There’s nothing better than length bowling if delivered accurately within the line of the stumps,’ Ishant emphasized, echoing Nehra’s mantra. This disciplined approach has been a game-changer for GT’s bowling unit, ensuring they force batsmen to play risky shots on good deliveries rather than gifting easy runs.
GT’s Grueling Training Regimen: Beyond tactics, Gujarat Titans’ work ethic sets them apart, described by Ishant as downright insane. ‘We leave for practice at 3 PM and often return at 1 AM the next day. My wife jokingly says we work harder in training than in matches,’ the 36-year-old pacer chuckled. This rigorous schedule, coupled with intense fielding drills to address dropped catches, reflects the team’s commitment to excellence under Nehra’s guidance.
A Mid-Season Turnaround: Ishant also shared a light-hearted anecdote about the IPL 2025 break, which led to widespread confusion among players. ‘There was a perception that the tournament wouldn’t resume, so I asked my manager to courier my luggage from Ahmedabad to Delhi. Turns out, everyone was heading back to Ahmedabad,’ he recalled. Upon returning, the team faced a 360-degree turnaround, with renewed focus and intensity in training, setting the stage for their playoff push.
Conclusion: As Gujarat Titans gear up for crucial encounters, including their clash against Delhi Capitals on May 18 at 7:30 PM, Ashish Nehra’s strategic interventions have clearly given their pace attack a razor-sharp edge. With Siraj and Krishna firing on all cylinders and the team’s unwavering dedication, GT looks poised to dominate the TATA IPL 2025 playoffs. Catch all the action live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, and witness if Nehra’s boys can clinch the ultimate glory.