Gujarat Titans batting coach Matthew Hayden named Rahul Tewatia as the ideal successor to his iconic Mongoose bat, boosting the GT finisher’s performance ahead of IPL 2026. Hayden made the remarks during Shubharambh 2026, a major event in Ahmedabad on Monday that brought together all fans, partners and fans of the franchise.
The former Australian opener famously used the Mongoose batknown for its longer handle and shorter blade that increases bat speed and shot power. With an extended sweet spot and strong edges, he was particularly effective in T20 cricket. Hayden memorably used the bat during IPL 2010 when he smashed 93 off 43 balls against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), an innings studded with nine fours and seven sixes.
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Speaking at the event, Hayden said: “If I had to hand over my Mongoose bat to someone from GT, it would have to be Rahul Tewatia. He’s got power. He does a very good job with the long bat. The boundaries in T20 cricket are five runs, 10 runs and to have that power on the backend and frontend is good. You’ll get it mate.”
Tewatia has been a key finisher for Gujarat Titans in the last four seasons. Batting mostly in the lower order, he has scored 591 runs from 43 innings at an average of 22.73, with a strike rate of over 150. His franchise best score is 43 not out.
Meanwhile, New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips, known for his exceptional fielding, offered an interesting take on catching.
“I’m worried when an easy catch comes my way. The tough catches I know I’m going to take, but the easy catches I’m worried about,” Phillips said.
Speaking at Shubharambh 2026, a high-profile evening that brought together the entire team, franchise owners, partners and fans, Nehra said the Titans are not trying to change the way they play.
“I don’t think there’s any need to think differently this season. I don’t really have to think, the players do. They have to think. They have to play; I’m sitting out,” he said, highlighting the team’s trust in the players and their decision-making.
Reinforcing the team’s mindset, Nehra added: “From day one, our mindset has been clear, we are not here to participate, we are here to compete and win. With a new team, it is easy to think it may take time, but that has never been our approach.”
Gujarat Titans Squad for IPL 2026: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Anuj Rawat, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Jayav Manant Kukushharma, Arshad Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Luke Wood (Rs 75 crore), Prithvi Raj Yarra (Rs 30 crore), Tom Banton. (Rs 2 crore), Jason Holder (Rs 7 crore), Ashok Sharma (Rs 90 crore).
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
March 24, 2026 1:16 PM IST
