IPL team profile: Gujarat Titans keen to recapture their 2022 magic

From a dream debut in 2022 to an eighth-place finish last year, the Gujarat Titans have felt what it’s like to be brought back to earth with a thud.

After a change in ownership and some major overhauls of personnel, the team is looking to mount a fresh challenge under the leadership of young Shubman Gill again.

When Gill was named captain last season after Hardik Pandya suddenly switched camp, going back to the Mumbai Indians, there was a school of thought that suggested the captaincy may have come too early to their key batter.

The pressure may indeed have told on his batting, for Gill managed only a modest 322 runs from 11 games last season — quite a contrast to his superhuman effort of 890 runs in 2023 under Pandya’s leadership.

This is, however, a new year and a new season — and the franchise has done well to rope in Jos Buttler, as the former England white ball captain was released by the Rajasthan Royals.

The pace attack looks extremely well-manned with the acquisition of Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Gerald Coetzee, Prasidh Krishna and old warhorse Ishant Sharma. The last-named, though past his prime, still often proves his worth as an impact player — much in the manner that Mohit Sharma had served the Titans over the last couple of years.

The Titans’ top order boasts of enough gravitas with Gill, Sai Sudarshan and Buttler — with the first two being quite consistent over past three seasons.

The middle order, in comparison, looks fragile though the team management has invested in an interesting mix of all-rounders like Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar and, of course, Rahul Tewatia. The last may not have had enough opportunities last year, but few will forget the role he and David Miller played in some improbable chases during their 2022 season.

Nothing much needs to be said about Buttler, who has been an IPL giant of sorts for the last 8–9 years. While he was at his best during his days with the Royals, amassing 863 runs in the 2022 edition to pilot them to the final, he could still be an asset to any franchise with his clean hitting and as a part of the leadership group. Gill will certainly have a shoulder to lean on with Buttler around.

During a long season like the IPL, the likes of Sherfane Rutherford, Phillips and Shahrukh Khan need to step up at some point if the team aspires to make it to the play-offs. There is enough efficiency quotient for the middle order in the ranks — but Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra have remained largely unproven.

The spin attack, needless to say, will be led by the canny Rashid Khan, with Washington Sundar providing support and the likes of Phillips and Tewatia capable of keeping things quiet in the middle overs.

The advantage of having someone like Sundar is he can bowl in the power play to disturb the rhythm of any rival opening combination.

Full Squad

Shubmаn Gill (captain)

Rаshid Khаn

Sаi Sudhаrsаn

Rаhul Tewаtiа

Shаhrukh Khаn

Kаgiso Rаbаdа

Jos Buttler

Mohаmmed Sirаj

Prаsidh Krishnа

Nishаnt Sindhu

Mаhipаl Lomror

Kumаr Kushаgrа

Anuj Rаwаt

Mаnаv Suthаr

Wаshington Sundаr

Gerаld Coetzee

Arshаd Khаn

Gurnoor Brаr

Sherfаne Rutherford

Sаi Kishore

Ishаnt Shаrmа

Jаyаnt Yаdаv

Glenn Phillips

Kаrim Jаnаt

Kulwаnt Khejroliyа