Building an Innings: Lessons from Vikram Solanki at Gujarat Titans

Kumar Kushagra played a pivotal role in Jharkhand’s victory over Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium B-Ground. His unbeaten 84 off 48 balls, coming in at No. 3, led his team to a total of 207 for three, securing a 28-run triumph. Reflecting on his performance, Kushagra stated that his strategy was to take his innings deep, especially given the slow and sticky pitch conditions typical of early morning matches in Ahmedabad.

“The pitch was quite sticky, which is common for early games here in Ahmedabad. My focus was on extending my innings for as long as possible,” said the 21-year-old following the victory in the Elite Group-D sixth-round match.

Kushagra praised his effective play against the new ball during the PowerPlay, attributing this to a focused two-day training session with his father and trainer, Shashikant, before the tournament. “Fortunately, our last Ranji Trophy match was in Jamshedpur, which gave me the chance to work with my father for two days afterward. Playing at No. 3 required me to hit shots, but it was crucial to deepen the innings too. I needed to optimize PowerPlay opportunities, where timing the ball is key. It’s essential to strike the ball well, finding gaps and lifting it over infielders when necessary. This is something I honed with my father’s guidance, and it significantly benefited my game.”

A significant element of Kushagra’s development has been moving beyond being merely a power-hitter, and he credits Vikram Solanki, the Director of Cricket for the Gujarat Titans (GT), for this progress. GT, which acquired him in the IPL 2025 auction, has retained him for the upcoming season.

“Vikram Sir provided invaluable insights, especially when I was struggling with the new ball. When I first joined the IPL, I was primarily a hitter. Vikram Sir taught me how to score effectively during the PowerPlay, build innings, maintain a strong strike rate, and finish with substantial totals. His mentorship has greatly enhanced my batting skills,” Kushagra revealed.

Published on Dec 07, 2025