MS Dhoni Shubman Gill. Image Credits: AFP/X
Gujarat Titans had a pretty good opening season back in 2022 with an IPL title win, and post that, there has been disappointment for the fair share of it. Nevertheless, ahead of the IPL 2026 edition, Shubman Gill, the skipper of the team, was seen injecting fun and games while mocking and teasing coach Ashish Nehra with an infamous MS Dhoni incident.
Gujarat Titans had their Shubharambh 2026 event ahead of their campaign opener, where the whole squad had an evening of fun interaction with each other while opening up about the season expectations. While speaking on the pace department of the team, Shubman Gill pricked an unpleasant memory of Ashish Nehra and MS Dhoni.
The Infamous Feud Between Ashish Nehra and MS Dhoni
It was back in 2005 when India were taking on Pakistan in an ODI match. Nehra, then the leading pacer for the Men in Blue, was bowling with intensity and nearly had the edge over Pakistan in the fourth over. During that spell, he ended up hurling abuses at former India captain MS Dhoni.
At the time, Dhoni was a young cricketer in his first year of international cricket and was keeping wickets behind the stumps. Nehra was bowling to Pakistan opener Shahid Afridi, who was batting on 10.
He delivered a ball outside off-stump, which Afridi edged, but it flew past both Dhoni and Rahul Dravid at first slip. That moment proved to be the tipping point for Nehra, as the famously aggressive pacer lost his cool and vented his frustration at both Dhoni and Dravid with abusive remarks.
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Nehra later admitted his mistake, expressing regret over his behaviour. He acknowledged that he was wrong to lose his temper at both Dhoni and Dravid and was deeply apologetic for his actions.
Nevertheless, this bitter memory has now resurfaced, as the Gujarat Titans skipper himself recalled the incident at the Shubharambh 2026 event.
Shubman Gill Scratches Old Wounds of Ashish Nehra
At the event, the host asked, “You have a mix of calm players like yourself and some who thrive on chaos. So how do you manage it?” Gill’s reply was not something that everyone expected, as he sarcastically teased the coach, Nehra.
“It’s important to have a bit of both. I feel some of our fast bowlers are quite fierce, even if they don’t always show it on their faces. I don’t want my fast bowlers to be calm, I want them to be like Ashu Paa. I often watch clips where someone sends me videos of him acknowledging dropped catches (laughs),” Shubman Gill replied to the host at the event.
Shubman Gill was clearly pointing at the old controversy between Ashish Nehra and MS Dhoni, which sparked a massive laughter across the room, with Nehra himself enjoying the bit of the roast.
Gill On Gujarat Titans' IPL 2026 Campaign
Nevertheless, speaking on the team game of GT, Shubman Gill continued on the importance of group interest and how they are approaching the IPL 2026 season.
“But overall, it’s about having a mix of different personalities and making sure there is mutual trust within the group. We believe in each other’s game plans and individual strengths because we all share one common goal. Ultimately, it’s about creating a sense of security and unity within the team,” Shubman Gill added.
While taunts and teases and banters will be a part of IPL 2026, the Gujarat Titans aim for another title win this year. In 2025, they lost to the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator clash after finishing 3rd on the points table.
This year, GT wil start their campaign against Punjab Kings on March 31 and will have their last clash of Phase 1 against LSG on April 12.
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