Although Torrent Group has taken over as the new owner of the Gujarat Titans, operations inside the franchise are continuing as usual. On and off the pitch, the same people continue to run the show, whether it’s because they don’t have time or because they don’t need to. Naturally, the Shubman Gill-led team is dominating the pitch in IPL 18.
“The successful sale of the majority interest from CVC to Torrent Group in mid-March marked the end of a protracted process that lasted nearly six months. To be honest, we haven’t yet had a group meeting with the new ownership to decide how we want to operate moving forward. However, it is clear that GT will carry on operating in the same manner as it has for the past three years. “At the moment, nothing has changed,” CEO Arvinder Singh stated.
“After the season concludes, let’s see if we can successfully advance to the playoffs and beyond. After that, you know, we’ll sit down and see how we can collaborate with the new owner. However, that has not yet occurred. I don’t think there will be any significant changes because people are pretty clear.
One of the largest deals in IPL history was made when the Ahmedabad-based Torrent Group, managed by Jinal Mehta, purchased the franchise for an outrageous Rs 7,522 crore, obtaining a dominant 67% interest for Rs 5,035 crore. The franchise’s home ground, the Narendra Modi venue, which can hold 1.3 lakh spectators and is the biggest cricket venue in the world, is one factor contributing to its high price. It is difficult to fill such a colosseum, but the management is nonetheless committed to ‘customer pleasure’.
It’s widely believed that getting a decent, authentic stadium experience in India is quite challenging. However, I will only encourage people to come to our stadium and check to see whether that is true in Ahmedabad. We take great satisfaction in serving our patrons and the spectators who attend our games. Additionally, we make an effort to make sure that everything is ready for them,” Singh says.
In its four seasons, the squad has had some success on the pitch; they have won the championship once, placed second once, and are in the running for a postseason trip this year. With the exception of a brief two-season stint during which the Gujarat Lions were briefly onboarded in the IPL, Gujaratis had no regular representation in the league for the first 14 years. The management thinks that this success has won them the devotion of Gujaratis.
Since the outset, there has been a clear understanding of what the Gujarat Titans will represent to everyone.
Gujaratis are found all across the world, not just in India. We have been adamant that we want to maintain our Gujarati identity and that, yes, we are Gujarat Titans. When it comes to everything GT, we have always attempted to prioritise the fan over everything else, even from a cultural standpoint,” Singh says. “We don’t look at it from in to out but out to in.”
The GT official also makes it abundantly evident that Shubman Gill, who replaced Hardik Pandya, a State native, as captain, has been welcomed by the supporters. “The difference between this year and last year, when he was just getting started, is already apparent. Everyone is discussing how well he manages the activities that take place on the pitch throughout the game. And, of course, off it too.
“These are excellent indications. We are all aware of the fact that Shubman will not be limited to guiding GT alone. As you are all aware, he has bigger things in store for him. In fairness, everything will work out nicely for the franchise and us in the end. The fact that Shubman is leading this team makes us extremely proud. This year, he has also matured. As we proceed, it will only continue to improve.”
India
