New Delhi, Jan 15 (NationPress) The Gujarat Titans (GT) have initiated their preparations for IPL 2026 with a training camp at the Madan Paliwal Miraj Sports Centre in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, under the guidance of head coach Ashish Nehra and assistant coach Parthiv Patel.

Colonel Arvinder Singh, the franchise’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), emphasized that this camp is pivotal as a ‘cricketing kickstart’ for both coaches and players who are currently free from their Vijay Hazare Trophy obligations. Notable players such as R Sai Kishore and Ashok Sharma are seen putting in the effort during GT’s camp.

“This camp is specifically designed for our available cricketers. We had 13 players who were either not part of the later rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy or joined us after their matches, even if just for a day or two,” Singh shared in an exclusive interview with IANS on Thursday.

“This serves as a critical kickstart for the team, allowing the coaching staff and players to reconnect and start thinking of themselves as GT once more,” Singh stated.

The GT team made headlines by clinching the IPL title in their inaugural season in 2022 and has shown consistency by reaching the playoffs three times. Their laid-back team atmosphere has been lauded by both former and current players, marking a refreshing contrast to other teams' setups.

“GT emerged 14 years after the original eight franchises were established. Whether through management or coaching, we are backed by seasoned professionals who have witnessed the evolution of the IPL since its inception,” Singh explained.

“We’ve learned that every team is competitive, and all franchises have similar financial resources during the auction. Each team puts forth its best effort once the squad is formed. The challenge lies in maximizing player potential and establishing a conducive environment.”

“Our goal is to ensure players focus solely on practicing and competing for the franchise. Some may claim we pamper them, but I assure you, that isn't the case,” Singh clarified.

“We strive to make them feel integral to the Gujarat Titans by addressing both major and minor needs, creating conditions that allow them to concentrate entirely on cricket while staying motivated to perform at their best. Beyond that, sports offer no guarantees; all we can do is foster the right environment and assemble a group of like-minded individuals,” he elaborated.

Singh also discussed GT’s unwavering spirit, which has characterized their IPL journey thus far. “Boasting a bit, GT has been the most consistent team over the past four seasons. Since our inception, we’ve reached the playoffs three times, including one championship and one runner-up finish.”

“In the past four years, we have only missed the playoffs once. No other franchise has matched GT’s consistency during this period. This reflects how the franchise operates, with players assimilating into the Gujarat Titans ecosystem alongside the entire support staff,” he added.

“Ultimately, the drive comes from the players, who exhibit exceptional motivation and a collective determination to win. As the saying goes in Hindi, ‘Yeh haar nahi maante (they just don’t give up),’” Singh remarked.

“That’s how we approach the game - it’s never over until it’s really over. So we put forth our best effort, and fortunately, this system has proven effective for us, and I see no reason for it to change,” Singh concluded.