New Management, Same Titans

CENTURION: Heading into the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series, the Momentum Multiply Titans might be under new coaching leadership, but the drive and purpose remains the same.

The Titans will head to Boland Park to take on Goldrush Boland in their 4-Day Series opener starting on Thursday.

Rivash Gobind has taken over at the helm of the Centurion-based side and they are on a drive to go one better than their shared red-ball title from last season.

The Titans finished second on the log in the 2024/25 season but put in a great fight to draw the final after being asked to follow on by the DP World Lions. Young Lhuan-dré Pretorius made a match-saving hundred in the second innings for the Titans at the DP World Wanderers Stadium.

With the likes of Pretorius and a number of positive batters in the mix at SuperSport Park, Gobind wants his team to play a strong, positive brand of cricket this season.

“In four-day cricket we want to play front foot cricket, make things happen and always try to win the game whether we are batting or bowling,” Gobind said.

“We want to make brave decisions and not let games meander. There is a lot of experience in the group, and we have players that can play cricket in that way, which is very exciting, so we are looking forward to seeing how that shapes up.”

The Titans have brought in some players to their squad for the new season and Gobind believes they have strengthened the squad in the right areas.

“There have been some additions to the four-day squad and Lesego Senokwane is a big one for us. He brings a lot of experience at the top of the order, and we are really excited to see what he does.

“We’ve also signed Simon Harmer as well. When he does play for us, we are looking forward to that experience that he does bring. Having worked with him in the past I know exactly what he’s going to add to the group, and he’s played for the Titans before so that does help.”

Winning is a huge part of the 4-Day Series with a number of drawn matches highlighting last season’s action. Gobind’s side will not be holding back chasing victories.

“We want to win every 4-Day game that we play but playing at home does give us an advantage because of the familiarity of the conditions and we know what it takes to win at SuperSport Park. We do have a pretty good record there and that’s something that we want to continue.

“This season we do have quite a few games at home so we will look to express ourselves and our squad is set up knowing that we will be playing most of our games on the Highveld,” coach Gobind explained.

The Titans are set up to challenge anyone they come up against with both bat and ball and Gobind feels they are well rounded across all disciplines.

“I think we are well set up to bat deep at times. We have X-factor players with the bat and the ball. Batters who can score quickly and bowlers who can change a game in a spell, so those attributes are present all through our squad.

“We are well balanced between bat and ball, and the squad is ready to go and excited that the season is here.”

Heading into the campaign Gobind is happy with how the team has been preparing.

“We’ve done well and prepared well. The facilities at SuperSport Park are top class and we’ve spent a good period of the off-season upskilling.

“It’s a great bunch of guys and there’s a lot of experience in that group that have helped the younger guys integrate,” the coach added.

The trip to Boland Park for the Titans will see them reignite their rivalry with a Goldrush Boland side also eager to start the season on a strong note.

Source: cricket.co.za

Iftikhar Ahmed – Born on February 3, 1990, in Peshawar, Iftikhar is an all-rounder known for his hard-hitting abilities. He has made significant contributions in T20s and has been a part of the national setup in recent
years.