The Gujarat Titans suffered a familiar collapse in their latest IPL match against the Mumbai Indians. Despite a strong start from Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler, the middle-order failed to provide the necessary support in a challenging chase. Batting coach Matthew Hayden described it as a “horrible day” for the team, as they were unable to even bat out their full 20 overs.
The loss not only affected their standings but also raised concerns about the underperforming middle-order players like Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan. While Washington managed to score quickly, Phillips and Tewatia struggled to get going, with their strike rates falling below the expectations of T20 cricket. Hayden acknowledged that the middle-order was exposed early in the PowerPlay, putting too much pressure on them to make up for the top-order dismissals.
Hayden emphasized the importance of sending players like Tewatia and Shahrukh in at the right time, as they are better suited for impact rather than accumulation. Shahrukh has only scored 35 runs so far, while Tewatia has contributed just 49 runs, highlighting the need for a more effective strategy in the middle overs. The coach stressed the difference in approach between the top three and the middle-order, emphasizing the need for players to bat with impact.
Overall, the Titans’ loss highlighted the need for improvement in their middle-order performance to avoid similar collapses in future matches. Published on Apr 21, 2026.
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