‘Predictable’ – GT’s bowling is ‘a bit like SRH’s batting,’ says Tom Moody – Tom Moody Critiques GT’s Predictable Bowling Attack After Playoff Loss
The Anatomy of a Collapse: Why GT’s Bowling Strategy Backfired
The recent Qualifier 1 clash between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2026 IPL playoffs served as a sobering reality check for a bowling unit long considered one of the tournament’s most formidable. As the RCB top-order dismantled the GT attack, questions surrounding the tactical rigidity of bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj have taken center stage.
The Moody Verdict: A Lack of Variety
Tom Moody, the Lucknow Super Giants global director of cricket, did not mince his words when analyzing the performance on ESPNcricinfo TimeOut. Moody drew a striking parallel between GT’s current bowling woes and the well-documented struggles of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting order.
“When there’s zero movement in the surface, that’s when they’re vulnerable, because they don’t have the real extreme change-ups of pace and variety,” Moody observed. He argued that while the likes of Rabada and Siraj excel when the ball is nipping or swinging, their inability to adapt to flat, lifeless surfaces leaves them exposed. According to Moody, the duo lacks the deceptive slower balls or tactical variations required to disrupt set batters on high-scoring tracks.
Predictability as a Liability
Echoing these sentiments, former cricketer Ambati Rayudu pointed out that GT’s “predictability” is their primary undoing. When the conditions at the venue do not facilitate their preferred hard-length, Test-match-style bowling, the team often lacks a viable ‘Plan B’.
“You know what to expect against GT,” Rayudu noted. “Good batsmen are prepared for it. You can only be so good, but on a given day a batsman goes after you, what is your plan B?” The frustration for GT fans was palpable as RCB amassed 76 runs during the powerplay, with Venkatesh Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, and Virat Kohli striking at blistering rates. The onslaught continued unabated as Rajat Patidar eventually pulverized the attack, scoring 93 off just 33 balls.
The Toss Dilemma and Strategic Misalignment
The decision to field first upon winning the toss in Dharamsala has also come under intense scrutiny. While chasing had been successful at the venue earlier in the season, experts argue that GT failed to play to their own specific strengths.
Rayudu suggested that GT should have prioritized putting runs on the board. “A team that has limitations has to play within them,” he explained. Referencing the wisdom of legendary captain Ricky Ponting, Rayudu emphasized the importance of setting a target when under pressure. “If I can’t land a punch and I can kick, you should only kick. Why should you try and land a punch? You try and do what you can do best.”
Reflecting on the Fortress Mentality
Much of the criticism stems from the fact that GT has built their reputation on pitches in Ahmedabad that naturally cater to their bowling profile. The reliance on these conditions has perhaps masked the need for a more versatile bowling arsenal. As the tournament progressed to Dharamsala, the “fortress” mentality did not translate, and the team found themselves lacking the defensive tools required to stem the flow of runs when the pitch offered little assistance.
Ultimately, the performance serves as a reminder that in the modern era of the IPL, raw pace and traditional lengths are insufficient on their own. To compete at the highest level, teams must possess the tactical flexibility to evolve their game plan mid-match. For Gujarat Titans, the lessons from their Qualifier 1 defeat are clear: when the surface turns against you, the ability to deceive is just as important as the ability to attack.
