As the Gujarat Titans prepare for their upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Rajasthan Royals, head coach Aashish Kapoor shared insights regarding the possible inclusion of Jharkhand batter Kumar Kushagra in the playing XI. Kapoor indicated that Kushagra would be considered if any issues arise with the top three batsmen.

The Titans are looking to recover from a disappointing defeat to the Punjab Kings in their season opener. They will face the Rajasthan Royals at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, where they will contend with a formidable pace attack and a dynamic opening pair of Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

During the pre-match press conference, Kapoor emphasized that Kushagra should ideally bat at the top of the order rather than filling in a struggling middle order that includes players like Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and Glenn Phillips, who are currently out of form.

"If something happens to the top three, he could definitely be in our plans. However, if Kumar has been scoring runs in domestic cricket, he should be batting at the top rather than at number six, where he would need to focus on hitting big shots," Kapoor explained.

Kushagra was instrumental in Jharkhand's first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory last year, amassing 422 runs in 10 innings with an impressive average of 60.28 and a strike rate of 161.68, including four fifties and a top score of 86*. He continued his strong performance in the subsequent season, scoring 368 runs in six innings at an average of 73.60, featuring two centuries and a fifty. In the Ranji Trophy, he accumulated 572 runs in 12 innings, averaging 59.71 with two centuries, including a double century.

Kapoor also commented on the debut of Rajasthan pacer Ashok Sharma, who had an impressive season in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking 22 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 15.63, including two four-wicket hauls. Kapoor described Sharma as a "terrific talent" who is unafraid of being hit and eager to bowl at any moment.

"He is indeed a remarkable talent. Performing well in domestic cricket is one thing, but showing courage in high-pressure matches is crucial, as we saw in the last game. He wasn't intimidated, and even the best bowlers get hit in T20 cricket. He will gain experience over time," Kapoor remarked about the young bowler.

"Even seasoned bowlers face challenges in this format. What stands out about him is his willingness to bowl whenever needed. That attitude is vital, and he possesses the necessary speed. Being young, he has a bright future ahead," he concluded.