<\/p>\n
Still learning, says Matthew Hayden about Shubman Gill, who now leads Gujarat Titans with sharper thinking than before. Not just power but calm choices define the batter today, shaped by clean decision-making under pressure. Confidence follows him, though it\u2019s built quietly through routine rather than noise. His rise feels steady, guided more by inner balance than big moments. Growth shows without needing loud proof. Leadership sits well on shoulders already carrying national expectations.<\/p>\n
Before Gujarat Titans faced Punjab Kings on Tuesday, Hayden shared thoughts on Gill. Not just skill matters \u2013 what stands out is how he talks about cricket now. That clarity? It shows growth under pressure. Maturity shines when words match performance. Few players reach that point. He seems to be there.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, see, Shubman is a very clear speaker of the game, and that says he knew cricket in good stead, obviously at the highest level of cricket and Test cricket,\u201d Hayden said.<\/p>\n
Not just his runs but the way Gill carries himself stands out, says the ex-Australia batsman. Confidence plus a fresh mindset \u2013 traits that quietly define how he leads now. One doesn\u2019t often see both in balance, yet there it is. These aren\u2019t loud qualities, more like steady undercurrents. What matters isn\u2019t what he copies, rather what he builds on his own. A calm belief, mixed with new-era thinking, seems to guide him. Leadership here looks less forced, more natural each time. It shows not in speeches but choices made mid-game.<\/p>\n
Confidence shows in everything he does. When it comes to presence, there\u2019s a quiet boldness \u2013 something fresh, something now \u2013 that stands out. That sense of command, like he decides what happens next, feels good to watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut any side that he\u2019ll play with, he very unselfishly says, and I\u2019ve watched him across many different press conferences like this, that it\u2019s very team-orientated,\u201d Hayden added.<\/p>\n
Gill steps into the fresh campaign at a curious point in his T20 path. Though steady in India\u2019s drawn-out versions, he\u2019s lost ground in the T20I squad thanks to sharp pressure from bold picks like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan instead. This batsman played 15 T20Is post-IPL 2025 yet never touched fifty, stirring doubts on his fit in the briefest form<\/p>\n
Now it\u2019s on their skipper to find form again, setting the pace early in the tournament. Still, Hayden backed the lineup as a whole, saying the batsmen aren\u2019t showing any real red flags before opening play.<\/p>\n
Season ended strong. Top trio held things together, thanks to solid work lower down the lineup. Middle hitters stepped up when needed. The closing moments matched their earlier rhythm. Nothing cracked under pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the metrics are really solid going into this season. The little areas of improvement will come as the tournament wears on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Hope rides on Gill now, not just talent. A calm foundation within the squad, along with leadership praised for honesty and nerve, sets the stage. As the fresh IPL campaign kicks off, expectations grow quieter but deeper. The team waits to see skill turn into runs. Clarity from the top blends with steady presence behind it all. Performance must answer what potential has long suggested.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n