NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra was not happy with Shubman Gill's captaincy after Gujarat Titans (GT) suffered a three-wicket defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 played at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
PBKS defeated the 2022 champions by three wickets after chasing down a 163-run target in 19.1 overs. While the Shubman Gill-led side posed as a threat and kept adding pressure, Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 44-ball 72-run knock sealed the deal for the Punjab-based franchise as they opened their campaign on a high.
According to Chopra Gill's bowling plans were confusing and their prime bowler Mohammad Siraj's two overs still pending after the match finished is a example of the mismanagement. Chopra also believes that Prasidh Krishna, who took three crucial wickets, should have been brought in early in the game.
"The bowling plans were puzzling. Siraj still had two overs left when the game was almost done, and Prasidh Krishna was brought in quite late. Overall, Shubman Gill’s captaincy also left a bit to be desired, ” Chopra told Jio Hotstar.