Gujarat Titans GT are the one-time former champions in the Indian Premier League, having clinched the title in their debut season in 2022 and today we discuss the GT best playing XI for the IPL 2024.
Gujarat Titans were one of the two new franchises introduced in 2022 as the IPL expanded to 10 teams. Titans, led by Hardik Pandya, went on to win the title by beating Rajasthan Royals in the final. They were superb in the IPL 2023 as well, where they reached the final for the second time but lost to Chennai Super Kings.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, Gujarat Titans made a massive decision to trade Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal. The move understandably attracted quite a bit of backlash for the franchise. The captaincy reins have been handed over to Shubman Gill.
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As they build up towards the next season, let's take a look at the Gujarat Titans full squad and the GT best playing XI for the IPL 2024.
Gujarat Titans (GT) Full squad for IPL 2024
Shubman Gill (c), David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha, Kane Williamson, Abhinav Manohar, B. Sai Sudharsan, Darshan Nalkande, Vijay Shankar, Jayant Yadav, Rahul Tewatia, Matthew Wade, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma, Azmatullah Omarzai, Umesh Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Sushant Mishra, Kartik Tyagi, Manav Suthar, Spencer Johnson, Robin Minz
GT best playing XI for IPL 2024
After parting ways with their captain, the Gujarat Titans side does look weaker. Replacing a proven all-rounder like Pandya will not be an easy task. They made some moves in the auction, acquiring Spencer Johnson, Umesh Yadav, Shahrukh Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Looking at their squad, there are a few ways Gujarat Titans can construct their playing. Here is what we believe would be the GT best playing XI for the 2024 IPL.
1. Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
Wriddhiman Saha was one of the four players to play in all GT matches last season. He is their best wicket-keeper option, with the other being Matthew Wade for whom they will have to give up an overseas spot. Saha made 371 runs in the previous edition at an average of 23 and a strike rate of 129.
2. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill produced one of the greatest individual seasons in the IPL last year. He piled on 890 runs in the season at an average of 59 while striking at 158. Gill smashed three centuries and four fifties in the tournament. Shubman will have the added responsibility of leading the side in the IPL 2024.
3. Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson featured in the first game of the Titans last year but hurt his knee while fielding and missed the remainder of the season. If fit, he will be in the GT best playing XI. Williamson is a quality player and Titans will need him more after Pandya’s exit.
4. B. Sai Sudharsan
The left-hand batter was given a chance late in the previous season but ended up with a great season. He made 362 runs from eight Innings at an average of 52 and a scoring rate of 141. Sai Sudharsan saved his best for the final, where he smashed 96 off 47 deliveries. He has been in superb form and will play a key role for Titans.
5. David Miller
With Hardik Pandya leaving, David Miller's role in the GT best playing XI becomes much more crucial. The South African batter has done a very good job for GT in the last two seasons, scoring 740 runs at an average of 49 while striking at 144. He has registered two fifties but his contributions at the back end have been impactful.
6. Vijay Shankar
Vijay Shankar will also have a bigger responsibility in the side for the IPL 2024. He had an outstanding season in 2023, where he struck 301 runs at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 160. Shankar smashed three half-centuries in the season. The Titans will hope for a similar season from him.
7. Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia didn't have much game-time with the bat in the previous season and wasn't particularly at his best either. He made 87 runs from 10 innings at an average of 22 while striking at 152. Tewatia is likely to have a bigger role as a finisher in the IPL 2024.
8. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan would be the first name in the GT best playing XI. The Afghan superstar is an irreplaceable asset as he's not only the best spinner in the world but can make match-winning contributions with the bat as well. Rashid claimed 27 wickets in the IPL 2023 at an economy of 8.23. He also smashed 130 runs at a strike rate of 217.
9. Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami is one of the best pacers in the world and has been a key part of the Gujarat Titans bowling attack. He had a stellar campaign in the IPL 2023, picking 28 wickets at an economy of 8.03 while striking every 13.9 deliveries.
10. Mohit Sharma
Mohit Sharma had a new breath of life to his career when he produced a magnificent season for Gujarat Titans last year. He claimed 27 wickets from 14 games at an economy of 8.17 and a strike rate of just 9.8. Mohit will be a part of the GT bowling attack in the IPL 2024.
11. Spencer Johnson
Spencer Johnson is one of the fastest-rising players in the T20 circuit. Gujarat Titans weren't impressive in the auction but they did manage to secure the services of this tall left-arm pacer from Australia. Johnson took 22 wickets in the shorter format last year and showed good promise.
Umesh Yadav (Impact Player)
Gujarat Titans spent INR 5.80 crore to get Umesh Yadav on their roster. The Indian pacer didn't have a great IPL season in 2023 but was prolific in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Yadav picked 15 wickets in six games at 8.52 economy. GT’s other options for ‘impact player’ are R Sai Kishore, Shahrukh Khan and Abhinav Manohar.
Last season, Gujarat Titans often played with three overseas bowlers but they can not afford that in the IPL 2024 as that would weaken their batting line-up significantly.
