Top picks for the IPL 2024 Auction GT prediction: Does Gujarat Titans really require a replacement for Hardik Pandya? The largest disruptor prior to the Indian Premier League 2024 auction is the Gujarat Titans.
Just before the new season began, Gujarat had to let go of their captain, Hardik Pandya, as he was traded to the Mumbai Indians, who made Pandya’s IPL debut.
Due to Hardik’s move to Mumbai, MI had to forfeit the services of Cameron Green, a promising young player they had purchased for a mere season at the IPL auction. In order to create room for Hardik, Green was traded to the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Gujarat’s playing XI is still incredibly strong even with their former captain out of the lineup, despite a huge hole in the squad. That really speaks volumes about their incredible run in the last two Indian Premier League seasons, as they finished second to CSK in the final-ball thriller in 2023 and won the championship in 2023.
Gujarat Titans’ Retention Chart
Gujarat Titans have a stable starting eleven and have kept nearly all of their key players. Even though they lost the best white-ball all-round player in the world, the team still has a good mix of foreign and Indian players, so they should have no problem fielding a formidable lineup on match day.
Players Retained
David Miller, Kane Williamson, Matt Wade, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Darshan Nalkande, Jayant Yadav, R. Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Joshua Little, and Mohit Sharma. Shubman Gill (c).
But the team has released a number of bowling contingent players, a strong sign that they wish to make changes in that area. Gujarat also let go of KS Bharat, so since Wriddhiman Saha is well past his prime, they will also be looking for an Indian wicketkeeper.
Players Who Have Been Released
Pradeep Sangwan, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, Dasun Shanaka, Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, and Yash Dayal.
Gujarat Titans’ Purse
38.15 crore rupees
Gujarat Titans: Available Slots
In total: 8
Foreign – 2
IPL 2024: Best Selections for GT
Top Selections for the Gujarat Titans
First up is none other than the big man himself, Hardik Pandya. There must be a mega replacement for the mega trade, and the Gujarat Titans have two options.
They have two options: they can bid more aggressively and target Azmatullah Omarzai in the auction, or they can bring in Shardul Thakur, an established all-around player from India who hasn’t played much lately. Omarzai could attract a lot of interest in the auction because he was among the best Afghan players in the just finished World Cup 2023.
Williamson’s backup
Following a successful World Cup campaign, Kane Williamson rejoins the Gujarat Titans. He sustained an injury in his opening game of the 2023 tournament, but he has recovered well to play in the 2023 World Cup.
Williamson is getting older, so Gujarat wants to help him through a transition. Rachin Ravindra, a fellow Kiwi, would make a great successor to the Kiwi icon. Ravindra is returning from an incredible World Cup in which he led the New Zealand team in scoring.
India’s Reserve Pacers
In their short tenure in the Indian Premier League, the Gujarat Titans have produced some outstanding young players from India.
Gujarat is currently home to actors R Sai Kishore and Sai Sudarshan, and they are also the ones behind Vijay Shankar’s comeback. One could argue that Gujarat might act in a similar manner this season.
In summary
Gujarat is already a seasoned group. There will be minor adjustments made here and there, but it is unlikely that they will acquire a major player to take Hardik Pandya’s place.
This time, Shubman Gill will be the team’s focal point, and players like David Miller, Rashid Khan, and Kane Williamson may be given more responsibility. Gujarat may bid on players such as Harvik Desai, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and a few other young Indian players at the IPL 2024 auction, which is scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 19.
Gujarat Preliminary Playing Team from the Reserved List
Rahul Tewatia, R Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Kane Williamson, Sai Sudarshan, Vijay Shankar, David Miller.
