Ahead of Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2025 opener against Punjab Kings, New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips opened up during a media interaction. The Superman of cricket, known for his athleticism, credited his agility to good genes and passion for fielding.
“We’ve definitely been blessed with the very strong genetics from an agility perspective, and I think that does give us an edge to our fielding and obviously, the willingness and enjoyment to the field is probably something that puts us a little bit above potentially your average person who stands in the field not wanting to be there,” he said.
Gujarat Titans began their IPL journey on a high, winning the 2022 title under Hardik Pandya and finishing runners-up in 2023. But, in 2024, under new captain Shubman Gill, they slipped down to the eighth position on the points table.
Despite that, Phillips dismissed the idea of Gill being under pressure, saying T20 cricket is far too unpredictable to pin team performance on a single individual.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with the way Shubman or the pressure that’s under him. You know, he plays for India. Like you don’t get much more pressure than that,” Phillips said.
“It’s a team game. One guy can’t win it. So, I don’t think it has anything to do with Shubman or his captaincy. I think T20 cricket has more to do with who’s in form at the right point in time, and the Sunrisers and KKR were in the best form for the trip,” he explained.
The Titans will start their IPL 2025 campaign on March 25 against Punjab Kings, co-owned by Bollywood actress Preity Zinta.
Gujarat Titans’s probable XI
Let’s take a look at Gujarat Titans’s probable XI against Punjab. GT are likely to open with skipper Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler, who will also don the wicketkeeping gloves. At No. 3, Sai Sudharsan brings consistency and elegance, followed by the explosive Glenn Phillips and big-hitter Shahrukh Khan in the middle order.
The all-rounders’ department looks solid with Washington Sundar, and the ever-reliable Rahul Tewatia is expected to play key roles with both bat and ball.
The spin attack will be led by Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan, supported by R Sai Kishore, who adds depth to their slow-bowling options.
In the pace department, Gujarat boast an impressive trio: Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, all capable of troubling batters with speed and bounce.
