For the first eight games of the ongoing IPL season, Gujarat Titans lacked a cutting edge. It didn’t put up big totals and barely intimidated opponents as it oscillated between the sublime and the ordinary, winning four games and losing four.

But that was until Jason Holder arrived like a Swiss Army knife in the four-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday — well-rounded, adaptable and the ideal combination of form and function.

The West Indies all-rounder conceded just 29 runs from his four overs, dismissed Jitesh Sharma and Romario Shepherd, held on to fine catches to send back Rajat Patidar, Tim David and Krunal Pandya, and was involved in a nerveless 30-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Rahul Tewatia in the 156-run chase.

For a top-heavy Titans outfit with an airy middle-order, the 34-year-old has given balance, security and a progressive option. So much so that GT’s director of cricket Vikram Solanki called him the “perfect storm”.

“He’s a world-class all-rounder, isn’t he?” gushed Solanki. “When we were pursuing Jason at the auction, it was with the mind of him being able to fulfil both roles — with bat and ball. He offers us exactly that. He’s physically strong and has great reach and leverage.

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“He is also bringing an added dimension — a sprinkling of stardust of being a really experienced campaigner. Often, you get individuals with experience who perhaps can’t communicate well. But Jason is always willing to have conversations with the coaching group and the young guys.”

Interestingly, Holder warmed the bench for the first six games as Titans gave an extended run to Glenn Phillips. There is little doubt that the same courtesy would have been extended to Holder, though the beefy man has struck gold in no time.

In the manic, chop-and-change world of T20 cricket, GT is an aberration. A Swiss knife, with its “guarantee for life”, seldom needs replacing too.

Published on May 01, 2026