Though Gujarat Titans were not able to lift the IPL 2026 trophy after a hard-fought defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final, the season, however, highlighted the impressive leadership of head coach Ashish Nehra. The former Indian fast bowler has quietly built one of the most consistent and successful coaching records in the tournament's history. Since taking charge of Gujarat Titans ahead of their debut IPL campaign in 2022, Nehra has transformed the franchise into a dangerous outfit. 

Under his guidance, GT registered success in their first season, winning the maiden title. Now, having made multiple finals and regularly qualifying for the playoffs, the side has been an uncontrollable unit. In their last five seasons, GT have reached the playoffs in four out of five campaigns, with their only setback coming in the 2024 season. 

Noticing GT's continued rise, former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should seriously consider Nehra as a future candidate for the Indian team's white-ball coaching position.

"Ashish Nehra is your hard-core, street-smart cricketer. If you talk cricket with him, he's not somebody who will get too emotional about it; he'll just be able to look at the problems that his team has," Manjrekar said on Sportstar.

"I love those kinds of coaches who are very clinical. He is a sharp reader of the game and somebody who doesn't think too much outside cricket or try to please somebody and play these games that you want to play to survive or keep certain people happy, and I think that is where the players see it," he added. "Not too much sophistication. You can see that he doesn't get affected by success as a coach. He wouldn't want to take too much credit; he's just a simple guy doing the hard yards quite easily and seems to love it," Manjrekar said.

Manjrekar further asserted that Nehra should only be considered as a head coach. Currently, Gautam Gambhir continues as India's head coach, with his current tenure expected to run until the 2027 ODI World Cup.

"I don't think he should come in as a bowling coach, because if he's a guy who has been the head coach and has got his team to do so well under different captains, then if he comes in, he should come in as the head coach," he added.