‘Like a Football Coach’: Harbhajan Singh Praises Ashish Nehra Impact on Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra's high-energy, hands-on approach has drawn praise from former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who likened his style to that of a football manager constantly directing players from the sidelines.

Speaking on JioHotstar's 'Champions Waali Commentary', Harbhajan highlighted Nehra's ability to keep players engaged throughout a match, describing his communication-driven leadership as a defining factor behind Gujarat Titans' team environment.

"Ashish Nehra is the only person who makes the atmosphere comfortable anywhere, anytime. Wherever he goes, he makes everyone around him feel at ease," Harbhajan said.

"He is like a football coach. He never sits still. Throughout the entirety of a match, he will find a player and keep talking to him. Nehra ji has a great understanding of the game. The work he has done with Gujarat Titans is commendable."

Harbhajan also credited Nehra's leadership for fostering unity within the squad, calling him one of the finest individuals to work with in a team environment.

Young pacers' rise reflects Gujarat Titans' development

While discussing the team's broader setup, former India batter Suresh Raina pointed to the rise of young fast bowlers such as Kartik Tyagi and Ashok Sharma as evidence of strong development structures across franchises.

Raina highlighted Tyagi's determination following injury setbacks, noting that his performances in domestic competitions laid the groundwork for his return to top-level cricket.

"Kartik Tyagi has worked very hard on his game. He was injured last year, but he made a strong comeback and bowled very well in season two of the UPT20 League. His fitness and work ethic are excellent and that hard work is now paying off," Raina said.

He also shared the personal story behind Ashok Sharma's journey, revealing how family sacrifice played a role in his rise to the IPL stage.

"His elder brother gave up his own cricket dreams because the family could not afford to support both. The elder brother sacrificed so Ashok could chase his dream. Now the results are there for all to see."

Raina added that the emergence of such young pacers signals a promising future for India's fast-bowling depth.

Technical changes key to Kartik Tyagi's comeback

Former India fast bowler Umesh Yadav explained that Tyagi's resurgence came after making technical adjustments to manage recurring injuries.

"Injuries are a part of every fast bowler's journey. Kartik Tyagi has made several changes to his game to manage his injury issues. He has fixed his bowling action and worked on his run-up," Umesh said.

He recalled that Tyagi shortened his stride and addressed persistent shin problems, changes that allowed him to return stronger and take on greater responsibility within his team's bowling unit