Before IPL 2026 begins, Ashish Nehra has said plainly that the team isn’t just playing to be in the tournament, they are in it to win. He spoke at Shubharambh 2026, a launch event for the team which included the players, owners, sponsors and fans, and emphasized continuing with what they’re doing, giving players more responsibility, and concentrating on winning trophies.
Nehra outlines the team’s approach at Shubharambh 2026
Nehra told everyone there that the Titans don’t need to drastically change how they play. He said, in fact, he doesn’t need to do a lot of thinking, the players do. They have to think, and they have to play, and he’ll be watching from the sidelines. This shows how much faith he has in the team.
He’s pushing for a ‘win now’ attitude, not one of slowly improving over time. “From the very beginning,” Nehra explained, “we’ve been clear we aren’t participating just to be present, but to compete and win.” He indicated that the team intends to have the same level of energy and ambition as they have had since they joined the league.
A successful plan that has worked before
The Titans joined the IPL in 2022 and immediately did very well. They won the championship in their first season, and have made the playoffs in three of their first four years. This gives the team something rare: the energy of a new team combined with early and lasting success.
Because of what they’ve done before, expectations for the 2026 IPL are high. With a history of winning and playing well consistently, the Titans want to get the same results from the ways they already play, instead of completely changing their strategy just for the sake of change.
Keeping the same leaders and a strong team spirit
Nehra says that having the same people in charge is a really important part of what the Titans are about. Shubman Gill, the captain, has been with the team since the beginning and leads both the team in the locker room and the plan on the field. Nehra believes that keeping the same leadership and players will cause less trouble and help the team make decisions together more quickly.
The team has developed a “Gujarat first” culture, which combines being proud of being from Gujarat with achieving their goals. This was visible at Shubharambh 2026, which included looking back at the team’s first five years, connecting with the fans, and celebrating the culture of Gujarat.
Player empowerment and tactical freedom
Something Nehra talked about a lot was giving responsibility to others. By encouraging the players to think and make decisions during the game, the coaches are helping them to be flexible and make quick choices. This allows the more experienced players to affect how the team plays, and the younger players to learn as they go.
This approach could be very helpful in Twenty20 cricket, because the very quick decisions and understanding of which players are up against each other often determine the outcome. A coach who trusts their team helps to develop leaders who can handle pressure and change the momentum of a game.
Season opening fixtures and fan expectations
Gujarat Titans’ first game of IPL 2026 is against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on March 31, and their first home game is in Ahmedabad on April 4 against Rajasthan Royals. These early games will quickly show how the team’s attitude in pre-season turns into how they actually play in a match.
Fans and people involved with the team will be carefully watching the Titans as they try to stick to what they are, while also adjusting to new teams and how the league is changing. They have a good combination of experienced leaders and players who have been given more control, and are confident and know what they want to achieve: to compete for the championship.
Nehra’s message was direct and brief, and it will set the tone for the coming months. The Titans have already won and played well regularly, and the 2026 IPL will be another chance to see if continuing with the same ways, their team spirit and the players making the calls will lead to success at the highest level.
