•Gujarat Titans players, including Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan, were captivated by the Himalayan backdrop during training in Dharamsala.
•Buttler focused on refining his technique in the nets, working on timing with low full tosses.
•Connor Esterhuizen impressed with his aggressive batting, hitting multiple sixes despite being an injury replacement.
•GT’s overseas slots are reportedly locked in with Buttler, Holder, Rashid Khan, and Rabada, limiting Esterhuizen’s chances to play.
•Coach Ashish Nehra and strength coach Darren Veness were also seen enjoying the scenic beauty of the HPCA stadium.
•Recent Test debutants Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar were among the players who took time to capture the stunning views.
•The training session highlighted a mix of intense cricket practice and appreciation for Dharamsala’s natural beauty.
The picturesque HPCA stadium in Dharamsala became a source of wonder for Gujarat Titans (GT) players as they stepped onto the field for training ahead of their IPL campaign. On a pleasant Sunday evening, players like Jos Buttler, Sai Sudharsan, and several others paused to soak in the breathtaking views of the Dhauladhar mountain range. Many of them, including recent Test debutants Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar, took out their phones to capture the stunning Himalayan backdrop.
Buttler, the IPL 2026 Orange Cap holder, was among the first to arrive and even asked pacer Kulwant Khejroliya to record a video of him standing against the snow-capped peaks. The Titans’ strength and conditioning coach, Darren Veness, seemed equally enchanted, roaming the ground with his phone before joining Buttler for a selfie. The scene painted a picture of players, many of whom were experiencing the Himalayas for the first time, acting like tourists rather than cricketers preparing for a high-stakes match.
In the nets, Buttler, who has rediscovered his form with back-to-back half-centuries, focused on refining his technique rather than power-hitting. The 35-year-old requested side-arm throwers and spinners to bowl low full tosses, working on his timing. Initially, he struggled with the dipping deliveries but gradually began smashing them into the stands. Coach Ashish Nehra watched from behind the nets, applauding every clean strike as Buttler spent 35 minutes honing his skills.
Meanwhile, Connor Esterhuizen, the South African batter who joined GT as an injury replacement for Tom Banton, stole the show with his explosive batting. GT’s performance analyst, Sandeep Raju, put the pacers Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Arshad Khan, and Kulwant Khejroliya through an extended spell against Esterhuizen. The pacers tested him with short-pitched deliveries, while the left-armers targeted his pads and outside off stump. Esterhuizen responded with a flurry of pulls, hooks, and even ramp shots, sending the ball soaring into the stands. The intensity grew so high that shouts of "watch out" echoed around the nets with every ball he faced.
Though Esterhuizen, who made his T20I debut earlier this year, is unlikely to play for GT due to their overseas player slots being filled by Buttler, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, and Kagiso Rabada, his performance left a strong impression. The 24-year-old’s swashbuckling style makes him a valuable asset in the Titans’ arsenal, even if he remains on the bench for now.
The training session in Dharamsala was not just about cricket—it was a moment of awe and inspiration for the players, blending the thrill of the game with the majesty of nature. As the IPL season heats up, the Titans will carry these memories, and perhaps a bit of Himalayan magic, into their matches.
