Last season was the first time in Gujarat Titans’ three-year history that they failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing 6th. A key reason for their struggle was Rashid Khan‘s poor form. This year, they retained five players, including the Afghan legend.
Along with him, the Titans retained their captain Shubman Gill, big-hitter Shahrukh Khan, reliable player Sai Sudarshan, and a proven match winner Rahul Tewatia. They have set up a nice Indian core. The mission was set for them in the auction to make a team around their strong Indian core. Titans bought some big hitters like Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, and a 4D player in the flying Kiwi, Glenn Phillips.
They also acquired Anuj Rawat from RCB as a backup wicketkeeper. In the all-rounder department, the 2023 champions added several Indian options, including Jayant Yadav, Sai Kishan, Washington Sundar, and Mahipal Lomror. Their biggest strength this season will be their bowling.
The Titans bought Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna to form a strong fast-bowling trio. The team management also did a fine job adding Gerald Coetzee and Ishant Sharma as backup options. Meanwhile, the pressure will once again be on Tewatia and Rashid to lead the spin department. It will be interesting to see if GT can win their second IPL trophy.
Weaknesses that could prove to be costly in Gujarat Titans’ title chase
The lack of star power in the middle order is a major concern for the Titans. With David Miller gone, Tewatia and Shahrukh must take responsibility for finishing games. Phillips and Rutherford can change the course of a match, but their inconsistency remains a big concern.
GT lacks experienced backups in their squad. Players like Rawat, Lomror, and Kumar Kushagra are currently low on confidence, and there is no guarantee they can perform at the highest level. If key players like Sudarshan or Shahrukh get injured, the backups may struggle to deliver the same level of performance.
GT’s key players, especially Gill and Rashid, cannot afford a bad season. If either of them fails to perform up to their standards, their IPL title hopes could fade away. Inconsistent performances from crucial players may also disrupt the team’s momentum in vital matches.