Ahmedabad, March 26 (NationPress) Gujarat Titans' captain Shubman Gill expressed that he feels no burden to demonstrate his abilities in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Instead, he emphasized his commitment to helping his team clinch another championship this year, rather than pursuing individual achievements.

As the current captain of India's Test and ODI teams, Gill was recently omitted from the T20I squad to accommodate Sanju Samson in the batting lineup. This strategic decision proved successful, as India secured a historic third Men's T20 World Cup title at the Narendra Modi Stadium earlier this month.

“Absolutely not. If you examine the previous three or four seasons, I have accumulated the highest runs in the IPL. Therefore, I believe I have nothing to prove, especially in this season. Over the past four years with this team, we have performed admirably, and I believe I have contributed positively as a batsman,” Gill stated.

“I don't think I need to validate my worth to anyone. My focus should remain on what I've been doing these last four years. We, as a team, need to maintain our consistency, and I believe we have. If we continue on this path, we will eventually capture that trophy again,” added Gill, who took on the captaincy for GT in IPL 2024, during a pre-season press briefing on Thursday.

The right-handed batsman also shared his thoughts on the Impact Player rule, stating it makes the game less dynamic. His remarks came just a day after he participated in the IPL captains' and managers' meeting in Mumbai, where it was confirmed that this rule would extend to the 2027 season.

“For me personally, I don't support the Impact Player rule. I believe cricket is fundamentally an 11-player game, and adding an extra batter on the pitches and grounds we compete on diminishes the skill required in the game. There is a specific expertise needed when a few batters are dismissed, and you must still keep the scoreboard ticking and secure a competitive total.

“The extra player makes the game feel more one-dimensional, stripping away some of the skill elements. Chasing 180 or 160 on a challenging pitch is, in my view, far more thrilling than pursuing 220 on a flat surface.

“It’s going to remain until 2027 -- we discussed this in the captain's meeting yesterday. While I comprehend that it adds excitement, ultimately, the decision rests with the BCCI. Personally, I’m not a fan of it,” he elaborated.

Gill concluded by reaffirming that personal achievements are never his primary concern, whether he is representing GT or India. “To be honest, I don't prioritize personal goals, regardless of the team I play for, be it my country or Gujarat.

“My primary aim is to ensure the team wins, and that’s the beginning and end of my personal aspirations. Therefore, my focus remains unchanged: to help my team win as many matches as possible. Clearly, in the IPL, the objective is to win the tournament.

“When participating in a series, the goal is to outperform the other teams, and those are the targets I strive for. I don’t really set personal milestones. At this moment, the clear goal is to win the IPL. Once that concludes, other tournaments will follow, and my personal objectives will adapt accordingly. That’s how I prefer to approach my goals.”