Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has opened up about the different leadership styles of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill.
Both players have led Gujarat Titans at different stages. Pandya was the team’s first captain. He guided GT to the IPL title in their debut season in 2022. He also took the team to the final in 2023.
Gill became captain after Pandya left the franchise. He later led Gujarat Titans to the IPL final in 2026.
Nehra believes the two captains are very different from each other. He compared their personalities and leadership methods.
“They are very different. You are talking about the North Pole and the South Pole. Both of them were also learning, just like I was. Neither of them had done much captaincy before. But you learn as you move forward,” Nehra said during the CAB Annual Awards ceremony in Kolkata (via RevSportz).
Nehra Highlights Gill and Pandya’s Different Styles
Nehra feels Gill will continue to improve as a captain. Gill is also leading India in two formats. The GT coach said the young batter is reserved and does not speak as much as Pandya.
“Shubman Gill is now captaining India in two formats, so he is only going to get better. Shubman is a little reserved and a little shy. But that’s okay. Everyone is different. There is no right or wrong. Shubman is someone who does not talk or have as many conversations as Hardik Pandya,” Nehra mentioned.
Gill is still learning the job. Nehra called him a keen observer.
“He is very much to the point. He is also a keen learner. Actually, I would rather say he is a keen observer. He learns from others as well, and he is only going to get better. He is still a work in progress. He is only 26 or 27, and it’s not as if he has been captain for many years. It has only been one or two seasons. You learn things as you go, and you get better.” he added.
Nehra also praised Pandya’s leadership. He said Pandya trusted his coaching methods but was always ready to ask questions.
“Hardik is an amazing character. One thing is for sure: he completely trusted me, which was perfect. He is always keen to learn. If something doesn’t go right or doesn’t go well, he will ask questions. He is someone you can have a lot of conversations with,” Nehra said.
