Gujarat Titans’ (GT) director of cricket Vikram Solanki dismissed the pressure of title defence ahead of the IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), saying that Hardik Pandya's team is prepared for the challenge.
After winning the IPL title in their maiden appearance last year, GT dominated the league stage this season, winning 10 out of their 14 games.
While the Titans lost to CSK in Qualifier 1, they thrashed Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to book a spot in the final.
"We entirely appreciate and respect what CSK has done. They've been a fabulous team for a good number of years now and we respect that," Solanki said during the pre-match press conference in Ahmedabad.
"We respect the playing group. As we have done throughout the year against all of the opposition, we've respected each and every opposition we've come up against. But we try and prepare ourselves to be competitive against anybody and we are confident in our preparation.
"What transpires on the day transpires on the day but we've got to be conscious of our preparation. Be present when the opportunity presents itself and take those opportunities. Tomorrow is a brilliant opportunity. It's yet another opportunity for our players to show the skill they have and we're very much looking forward to it."
GT opener Shubman Gill has been in red-hot form this season, amassing 851 runs from 16 innings with three centuries and four fifties.
The right-hander slammed 129 off 60 balls in a must-win Qualifier 2 clash against MI and will enter the final with sky-high confidence.
"When it comes to batting, Shubman Gill is a brilliant technician. For a young man, he has already displayed remarkable skill and finesse in his approach. If you're looking to emulate someone in the game, he would certainly be one of the examples you'd want to follow," Solanki stated.
"What sets Shubman apart is not just his natural talent, but also the tremendous effort he puts into his game," Solanki added.
"It's not just about practicing in the nets; he goes beyond that. Shubman is incredibly perceptive about the opposition he faces, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, and seeking opportunities to gain an advantage. He meticulously prepares himself to overcome the challenges he might encounter in any given situation," he further said.
