Gujarat Titans (GT) vice-captain Rashid Khan has lauded the entire squad for stepping up when the team needed it the most. This comes after the GT middle order was scrutinized, and Rashid claimed that the team has been successful this season by not focusing on flaws but instead relying on players to perform in a variety of circumstances and rapidly adjusting to changing circumstances.

GT recently defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final IPL 2026 league stage by a massive 89 runs and ensured a top-two spot finish for themselves.

"I think every team has those little areas to improve and has some areas very strong. You can't be a complete 100% perfect team. Doesn't matter how good a player you will have ... throughout the tournament, there has been lots of discussion about our middle order and things like that, but I feel everyone is stepping up,” Rashid Khan stated during the post-match press conference.

"Everyone is taking the responsibility, and I feel like that's so important. If you keep thinking about those 10% or 15% you are not accurate about, it's going to affect the rest of 70-75 or 80%.

For us the thing is that we just keep it simple. Whoever the opposition is, how are we going to be more impactful? Whoever gets the opportunity in the middle. Either you bat, bowl, or field. So don't think much about where we are weak or where we are strong. Think about what is in front of me and how I can do better for the team,” he added.

GT was asked to bat first, and thanks to Sai Sudharsan (84), Shubman Gill (64), and Jos Buttler (57*), they scored 229/4 in 20 overs. In response, Shivam Dube top-scored with 49 runs as CSK was bowled out for 140 runs. Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan took three wickets each for GT.

"The wicket didn't change. I think the bowling attack we have, especially the fast-bowling unit we have, has done a really great job throughout the tournament. And I feel like on this wicket, if you hit the right area consistently with a good pace, there is something for the bowler. While putting a score on the board, you just don't go with the flow; you just see the condition first, and then you try to play accordingly,” Rashid added.

"I think that's the kind of main strength that remains for us throughout the competition: that we adjust ourselves to the conditions very quickly as a bowling unit and also as a batting unit. So, I feel like we adjusted ourselves to the condition and the wicket quicker than them, and I think that's the reason we won again,” he said.

When considering the difficulties of bowling in high-scoring matches, Rashid stated that bowlers in contemporary T20 cricket must think aggressively even when under pressure.

“In this game, when you're defending 230, you will go for runs. It's not something like you're going to be still bowling 18 to 20 dot balls. But I feel like for you as a bowler, one thing remains: how I'm going to make it super hard and tough for him to hit that ball for a boundary,” he added.

In addition, Rashid talked about overcoming challenging times in his career, including a forgettable 2019 performance in which he gave up more than 100 runs in a first-class innings.

“Well, I think in life you have good days and bad days, and you have to know how to manage yourself on bad days as well. And if you keep doing well and don't have any bad days, I don't think you're going to learn a lot,” he added.

Rashid also praised skipper Shubman Gill and opener Sai Sudharsan for their clarity and consistency at the top of the order.

"Shubman, I think he is getting better and better each and every day. He is adjusting to the condition and the grounds very quickly, and he reads the game very quickly. I think what is great with Shubman is he knows his game. He knows his innings, how to start, how to accelerate, and how to finish it,” he added.

Gujarat Titans moved to 2nd spot in points table with 18 points in 14 games with 9 wins.

(PTI inputs)