Anuj Rawat calls Gujarat Titans' environment 'more friendly' than RCB [Exclusive]

In an exclusive chat with CricTracker, Anuj Rawat opened up on his career, his IPL experiences, and why he feels the Gujarat Titans dressing room is 'more friendly' compared to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rawat, who was retained by GT ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, revealed that he felt happy after being backed for another season. Reflecting on his early years, he spoke about the challenges he faced after migrating from Ramnagar to Delhi in 2011 and competing in a tough domestic structure,

before finally making his First-Class debut in 2017.

The wicketkeeper-batter, bought by RCB for INR 3.4 crore in 2022, confirmed that the franchise contacted him before releasing him ahead of IPL 2025. Despite taking a massive pay cut down to INR 30 lakh at GT, Rawat said he never questioned his abilities. Comparing environments, he admitted GT was more friendly and praised Shubman Gill’s leadership. 

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 Excerpts

Gujarat Titans retained you ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Have you received any message from the team management before being retained?

Yes. Before the retention, I had received a call from [coach] Ashish Nehra bhai. He asked how everything was going, how the matches were going, and all of that. After that, I received a message from our Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki sir, saying that I was being retained. I was very happy when he texted that. It felt very good.

What challenges did you face in your cricketing journey after migrating from Ramnagar to Delhi in 2011, up until you made your First-Class debut in 2017?

There were a lot of challenges because I came from a place where there was no BCCI affiliation at that time. There were only local matches, a few new academies opening up, and very little exposure to cricket in Uttarakhand.

When I decided to pursue cricket seriously and play at a higher level, I shifted to Delhi. As a newcomer, I had to spend a few years there. It took around 5–6 years. I did not get opportunities in the Under-14 or Under-16 teams, but I finally got a chance in the Under-19s, and I did well there.

After that, the situation was such that a spot opened up in the Ranji Trophy team for a wicketkeeper. I performed well at the right time, and the following year, I earned my place in the Ranji squad.

You were part of RCB for three seasons after being bought for INR 3.4 crore in the IPL 2022 mega auction. Have you received any message from RCB before you were released from the franchise ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction?

Yes, before the release, our Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, and our coach, Andy Flower, called me and informed me that they were letting me go. They said they wouldn’t be able to retain me and asked me to see how things go at the auction. They were very clear in their communication that they couldn’t retain me.

You received a massive pay cut, from INR 3.4 crore to INR 30 Lakh, in the span of three years. Did this phase ever make you question your path?

Definitely not. As you said, when I moved from Ramnagar to Delhi, my passion for cricket was always the priority, to play well, regardless of the money. That passion has remained the same. When I was picked by RCB, I never imagined I would be bought for INR 3.4 crore. My only focus was to perform well.

The IPL is a platform where any young or developing cricketer gets a real opportunity. Even after being picked for INR 3.4 crore and then moving to Gujarat, I never had any thoughts about what was happening off the field. My mindset was always about playing and preparing well.

Because in the end, the ultimate goal is to play for India. Whether you are playing domestic cricket, the Ranji Trophy, or the IPL, the final aim is always to represent the country.

How would you compare the Gujarat Titans’ dressing room environment to that of RCB?

I would say both dressing rooms are very good. The only difference is that the environment at the Gujarat Titans is a bit more friendly. Ashish bhaiya, Vikram Solanki, and even Parthiv Patel, all the coaches are very approachable. It never feels like they are coaches or the Director of Cricket or the head coach of the franchise. It feels more like they are part of the group.

When we sat at the back of the bus, Ashish bhaiya, Ishant Sharma, Mahipal and I, it always felt like we had all been friends for years. And whether we were heading to a match or to practice, the atmosphere was always very light and relaxed.

How did the reunion with Jos Buttler from RR to GT feel, and what sort of relationship have you shared with him?

It was very good. When he was with Rajasthan, we used to talk a lot. He was there for three years, and I was in RCB, so we did not meet often during matches, but whenever we did, it was always nice. When we met again at GT this time, he asked me how everything was going. Practising together was a great experience; I got to learn a lot from him because he is such a big player. We were very happy working together.

You could not get a single game for GT in IPL 2025. What do you think were the reasons behind that?

I can say the reason is quite simple: our main player, Jos Buttler, is a wicketkeeper himself. And if you look at our team’s performance last year, our top three dominated most of the IPL matches. As a finisher or middle-order batsman, I knew my role would be similar again this season.

Because the top order performed so consistently, the middle order naturally got fewer opportunities to showcase their skills. Those who were given first priority did well with the chances they had. That’s just part and parcel of the game, you wait for your opportunity and keep preparing.

It took three seasons for you to score your first IPL run. Tell us what that moment meant to you when it finally happened.

I think it was my first year with Rajasthan when I didn’t get a chance to play a single game. In my second season, in 2021, I made my debut at Kotla before COVID, but I did not get an opportunity to bat. Then the second half of the season shifted to Dubai. I felt that since I had played the last game, I might start in the next one as well.

Unfortunately, in our final match against KKR, I got a chance but was dismissed on the first or second ball without scoring. That made me even more eager to get my first IPL run.

Later, when I joined RCB, our first match was against Punjab. I clearly remember that my first scoring shot in the IPL was a six. I stepped out to Sandeep Sharma at DY Patil and hit him for a six. I was extremely happy that my first IPL run came with a six.

With age on your side, in which format would you love to play for Team India in the future? 

I think I clearly see a chance in white-ball cricket for myself. Because I think, like last domestic season, I performed really well in white ball. And I think it's just a matter of one good IPL season or consistency. So, I think I'll be there.