Shubman Gill looked in ominous touch during Gujarat Titans’ nets session, with a viral video of him launching towering sixes quickly doing the rounds on social media. The GT skipper appeared sharp and aggressive as he kicked off preparations for IPL 2026.
The clip sparked excitement among fans, many viewing it as more than just routine pre-season practice. For Gill, it signalled intent, a bid to move past a challenging international stretch and refocus on franchise cricket.

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The 26-year-old has had a testing few months. A neck injury disrupted his rhythm, and a difficult tour of South Africa across formats invited scrutiny. His struggles in the lead-up T20Is eventually led to his omission from India’s squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. With India now engaged in their Super 8 campaign, Gill’s attention has firmly shifted to the IPL.

Preparation mode on

During the nets, Gill was not merely finding the middle of the bat — he was consistently clearing the ropes, working on range-hitting and power. Having briefly opened alongside Abhishek Sharma during India’s T20I experiments, Gill could not cement his place before the World Cup squad was finalised. The IPL now offers him a platform to reassert his white-ball credentials.

Gill’s IPL 2025 campaign reinforced his stature as one of the league’s premier batters. He amassed 650 runs in 15 matches at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.88, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer of the season. Despite his prolific form, Gujarat Titans bowed out in the Eliminator against the Mumbai Indians.
With a fresh season ahead, Gill will aim not only to lead from the front with the bat but also guide his team deeper into the playoffs.
If the early signs from the nets are any indication, the GT captain has already begun scripting his comeback.