Jason Holder had to wait for his chance at Gujarat Titans, but when it arrived, the West Indies allrounder gave the clearest reminder yet of why the franchise had invested Rs 7 crore in him at the auction. Brought into the XI in place of Glenn Phillips, Holder produced a decisive all-round display in Gujarat’s four-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.The 34-year-old took 2/29, held three catches, including a rather controversial one, and then contributed with the bat in a 30-run stand with Rahul Tewatia as GT bowled RCB out for 155 and completed the chase with 25 balls to spare. Understandably, he was named Player of the Match.For a Titans side that had traded Sherfane Rutherford to Mumbai Indians in the off-season and was looking for a reliable middle-order option who could also bowl, Holder’s performance was a timely validation. “When we were pursuing Jason at the auction, it was with the mind to him being able to fulfill both roles, with the bat and ball, so he does offer us exactly that,” GT’s director of cricket Vikram Solanki said. “If you take a look over the last calendar year and perhaps a little bit longer than that, his numbers at five and six have been quite outstanding.“Holder, of course, has all of the ability you need. Physically, he is a strong guy, has great reach and leverage as far as the bat is concerned, so all of the technicalities are covered off. He is now bringing an added dimension, that sprinkling of stardust, if you like, of being a really experienced campaigner. I think that’s what’s playing out,” Solanki said.Holder’s impact was not restricted to his wickets. His catch to dismiss Patidar ended a 44-run stand and he later held sharp chances to send back Tim David and Krunal Pandya. With the bat, he helped steady the chase alongside Tewatia.Solanki said Holder’s growing understanding of his own game, built through years of international and franchise cricket, made him a valuable presence in pressure situations. “He has proven across the years, in international cricket and franchise cricket, how measured he is. He is only getting better,” Solanki said. “Any player who has played for as long as he has around the world, led teams as he has, and been part of different teams starts to get an understanding of what should be done in any given situation. Jason is certainly doing that.”Holder has played 96 T20Is for West Indies and has captained the national side across formats. Solanki said that experience was also benefiting the younger GT players. “You often get individuals who have a good amount of experience who perhaps can’t communicate it as well. Jason will always be willing to have conversations, whether it’s with the coaching group or with the young guys around, to impart a little bit of his experience,” Solanki said, adding, “That’s the perfect storm – a skilled cricketer who has experience, wants to be part of a team, is a thorough gentleman and is very articulate when he speaks.”
