Strengthening their coaching staff further, the Gujarat Titans on Wednesday announced the appointment of former India wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Dahiya as assistant coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
His appointment follows the recent addition of former Australia opener Matthew Hayden as batting coach, as the franchise continues to bolster its coaching group ahead of the new campaign.
A respected figure in Indian cricket, Dahiya represented India in 19 One Day Internationals and two Tests and enjoyed a successful domestic career with Delhi before transitioning into coaching. Following his retirement, he built a reputation as a capable mentor and tactician, notably guiding Delhi to the Ranji Trophy title in the 2007–08 season.
Over the years, Dahiya has developed an extensive coaching portfolio, working across domestic cricket and the IPL, serving as assistant coach with the Kolkata Knight Riders, where the franchise won two titles, and with the Lucknow Super Giants, while also working as a talent scout for the Delhi Capitals.
His experience and understanding of the Indian cricketing ecosystem are expected to add depth to the Titans’ support staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Since making their debut in 2022, Gujarat Titans have quickly established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in the IPL. The franchise won the title in its inaugural season and has reached the playoffs in three of its first four campaigns, underlining its strong performances in the league.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the schedule for the opening phase of IPL 2026, which will begin on March 28. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will host Sunrisers Hyderabad in the tournament opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
With the season approaching, Gujarat Titans will be hoping that their strengthened coaching structure helps them build on their strong record in the competition and mount another serious title challenge.