Analysis
Three players Gujarat Titans can release ahead of IPL auctions 2024
Gujarat Titans has made a name for itself in just the two seasons of its presence in the biggest cricket league in the world. The 2022 champions have been synonymous with success, as far as the proceedings have been in the league till now in the last 2 years. In 2022, the Gujarat Titans won the title in their very first attempt. They put up a very good effort in 2023 as well, where they finished second. Chennai Super Kings overcame them in the final in their own backyard. But it was an entertaining final.
Some of the players like Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Sai Sudarshan, Vijay Shankar, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, and Mohit Sharma had very good seasons for their teams. The final of the tournament proved to be a very good one. However, some of the players could not perform well and some others did not prove to be much useful. Here are such players who could be released by GT before the IPL auctions 2024.
3. Dasun Shanaka
Dasun Shanaka (Source: Twitter)
Dasun Shanaka has been a very good performer with the bat for Sri Lanka. There are instances where he singlehandedly won the match for his team with the bat. As a finisher, Shanaka is a very good entity. In 2023 IPL, Shanaka went unsold initially during the auctions. But as Kane Williamson got ruled out of the tournament, the Sri Lankan star player came in as his replacement.
In 2024, Williamson would be back for the team. In that case, Shanaka might no longer be part of the team. Shanka is not just handy with the bat but is good with the ball as well. His slow medium pace bowling is handy in slower bowling conditions. But with Williamson returning to the side, Shanaka might be released by Gujarat, in order to get better playing options at the auctions.
2. Odean Smith
Odean Smith (Source: Twitter)
Odean Smith was a big name around the late 2021 and early 2022 period in franchise cricket. Back then, the West Indian All-rounder was known for his insane power-hitting. The talented All-rounder was regarded as the next Andre Russell by many, given his ability to clear the boundary ropes with ease. For the IPL 2022, Smith was picked by the Punjab Kings.
Odean did not have a good season for the Kings. As a result, he was released from the franchise for the 2023 season. Since then, Smith has not been in good form. Neither has he been able to fire with the bat, nor has he been handy with the ball. He was picked by Gujarat Titans for IPL 2023 but did not get a game. Ahead of the IPL auctions 2024, the Titans might release him to get better options.
1. Yash Dayal
Yash Dayal (Source: Twitter)
Yash Dayal was one of the emerging players of the IPL 2022. The left-arm pacer impressed everyone with his performance in the tournament. In the IPL 2022, Dayal was one of the best pacers in the attack of Gujarat Titans. But in the IPL 2023, Dayal was figured out by the batters and proved to be an expensive bowler. The game against Kolkata Knight Riders is remembered by everyone. When 28 runs were needed in the last 5 balls, Rinku Singh hit 5 sixes in a row against Dayal.
After the game, Dayal was dropped from the side. In the absence of Dayal, Mohit Sharma stepped up for the 2023 runner-ups. Mohit had a stellar season with the ball and proved to be better than Dayal. The youngster happened to occupy INR 3.2 crores from the purse of the side. With so many options in the auction of the 2024 season, the Titans might be forced to drop Dayal.
