Gujarat Titans have a big challenge ahead of them for the IPL 2024. The 2022 champions have a new leader for IPL 2024, as they lost Hardik Pandya in the trade. In the absence of Hardik, GT named Shubman Gill as their captain for IPL 2024. There will be a big challenge for the youngster to take forward the legacy of GT which they already in just 2 seasons played till now. For the first time in their history, GT would be playing without their former captain and star player.
In the auction of the IPL 2024, GT performed well. It was pretty evident in the approach of GT that they wanted a replacement of Hardik. To find it was not easy. But they got a like-to-like replacement in Azmatullah Omarzai, who has similar traits as Pandya. They got him for a base price of just INR 50 lakhs. GT also bought some other exciting players like Shahrukh Khan, Spencer Johnson, and many others. It is interesting to see who they might play in the starting XI, as they seem to have a lot of problem.
It is time to look at the most probable starting XI of GT in the IPL 2024.
Top order
Gujarat Titans are likely to continue with the same opening combination of Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha. The duo was very good for GT in the IPL 2023 and is seem good for yet another season. Both of them are aggressive at the top and Gill can play long innings. Saha can be handy with his wicketkeeping as well. Gill will have the big challenge of leading the side that has many stars in their lineup.
Gill is very good in the middle overs as well and have batters that can finish the job well for them. Hence, they have a number 3, who is an anchor and tends to bat deep. They have Sai Sudarshan at number 3. The Southpaw impressed everyone with his knock in the final of the IPL 2023. He played well in his debut ODI series against SA. He is only going to get better with time. The three Indian batters form a good top order.
Middle order
After the top order, they have a good middle order with many world class batters in their lineup. Kane Williamson is likely to start in the playing XI at number 4. The Kiwi captain’s form has been a concern, but he seems good to go. At number 5, South Africa’s David Miller would continue playing for GT. The star batter can act as a perfect bridge between the top and lower middle order batters.
At number 6 and 7, GT is likely to trust two Indian finishers like Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan respectively. The two have proved themselves as finishers, although by achieving different levels. Tewatia has made a name for himself with his finishing capabilities in the IPL. Khan has made a name for himself as a good finisher in the domestic cricket of India and some of the local leagues, which would fetch him a spot in the XI.
Lower order
GT will have 4 different kinds of bowlers in their lineup. They have the star presence of Mohammed Shami, who is set to take the new ball for GT. The wicket taking option of Shami is priceless for them and he would be crucial for their campaign. To assist him would be the talented pacer from Australia, Spencer Johnson, who has been a revelation in the last few months to say the least. With his pace, Johnson can be very useful for GT.
While Ahmedabad’s wicket suits the pace of Johnson, it also suits the slower ones of Mohit Sharma, who would handle the middle overs. He would be the primary death bowler of GT for 2024. In the middle overs, Rashid Khan would be the economical and wicket taking bank for GT. If necessary, Tewatia and Shah Rukh can chip in with their bowling. As an impact player, GT will have Umesh Yadav in the XI, who can be useful with his bowling in the new ball.
Here’s the most probable staring XI of GT for IPL 2024 –
Shubman Gill (C), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Sai Sudarshan, Kane Williamson, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Spencer Johnson
Impact player: Umesh Yadav
