IPL 2023: After the mini-auction, GT’s best-predicted playing XI

IPL 2023: After the mini-auction, GT’s best-predicted playing XI

Gujarat Titans (GT) made their IPL debut last season impressive by winning the championship in just their first campaign. The team appeared composed and at ease under the leadership of Hardik Pandya. Pandya, who was the IPL’s inaugural captain, and coach Ashish Nehra were highly praised for performing their duties effectively. The franchise, which was fantastic in the previous iteration, will aim to continue with the same assurance in 2023.

They released several underperforming names in November, and they used their INR 19.25 crores to participate in the mini-auction 2023. In the end, the team invested in a few players who could make a big difference for them in the 2023 season. With the signing of these players, the franchise hopes to have some success in the competition

Here is the playing XI of GT after the conclusion of the mini-auction: 

1. Shubman Gill

At the big auction in 2022, Shubman Gill was purchased by Gujarat Titans (GT) for INR 8 crore. He was trustworthy to become a Titan because of his performance with the bat for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from 2018 to 2021. He played for the franchise and gave the squad outstanding starts with his daring batting approach. In 16 games, the opening hitter scored 483 runs with a strike rate of 132.32 and four half-centuries.

The hitter did a great job of playing his part in delivering these numbers to the squad. He will enter the competition as a match-winner in 2023. The franchise will anticipate massive statistics from him again in the following edition based on his batting prowess and results from the previous edition. The 23-year-old gave his all this year whenever he had the chance to play for India.

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The young player also scored his first century in an ODI and a Test match, both against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, respectively. Regarding his T20I performance, the rookie has not yet made his debut. However, he scored 260 runs in six games at a strike rate of 156.62 in the home competition Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022–23.

2. Wriddhiman Saha

After seeing how poorly Matthew Wade performed as an opener, the team offered Wriddhiman Saha the chance to pair Shubman Gill with a strong start. The seasoned player seized the chance and scored 317 runs in 11 matches with a strike rate of 122.39. Additionally, he broke three half-centuries, of which two occurred in favourably.

His season-best performance came against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The wicketkeeper-batter scored 68 runs off 38 balls, including a maximum and 11 fours. His devastating performance helped his team win the thrilling match by five wickets as well.

Later, he demonstrated his abilities to lead his team home by seven wickets against the defending champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with 67-run innings. GT retained him in the last month due to his performances in the previous season, and they will once again rely on his expertise to win games in 2023.

3. Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson was the most notable purchase made by GT in the auction because the team only paid his base price of INR 2 crore. The batsman from New Zealand has a sterling reputation in the league thanks to his numerous match-winning innings for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) between 2015 and 2022. He didn’t make the SRH’s retention list in November after putting up subpar performances as a captain and batter in the previous edition.

The seasoned player is looking forward to helping Gujarat defend their championship in 2023 by applying his knowledge and abilities. The Titans tried Matthew Wade, Vijay Shankar, and Sai Sudharsan at number three in the previous season, but none of them had much success. Williamson may be assigned to bat at number three in the upcoming edition because he plays in that position for his country’s team and has a solid track record.

The 32-year-old has participated in 76 IPL matches and amassed 2,101 runs with 18 half-centuries at a strike rate of 126.03. In order to strengthen the GT batting order, he would be backed up by several seasoned players like Wriddhiman Saha, David Miller, Hardik Pandya, and Matthew Wade.

4. Hardik Pandya (c)

Last year, the Gujarat Titans paid a staggering INR 15 crore to secure Hardik Pandya as their captain. In exchange, the slick cricketer displayed excellent leadership, batting, and bowling throughout the season. He was the team’s top run-scorer as a batter, racking up 487 runs in 15 games with a strike rate of 131.26 and four half-centuries.

He took eight wickets with the ball, with a 7.27 economy rate. His squad won the championship in its first season as he held the captaincy position responsibly, leading from the front with his all-around performances. The team will be counting on him to maintain his form and bring home another trophy in the upcoming season.

Since the 2022 league season, Pandya’s performance level has increased as he has performed well for the Men in Blue as well. He used his all-around abilities to win matches in the prestigious tournaments Asia Cup 2022 and ICC T20 World Cup 2022.

5. David Miller

At the 2022 mega auction, the Titans paid INR 3 crore for David Miller. The Protea batter was charged with revitalising the team’s batting order with his extensive knowledge and abilities. He made a significant impact to the team’s championship win by scoring 481 runs in 16 games at a brilliant strike rate of 142.72.

He took on the role of a finisher in the playoff game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) with his ferocious knock of 68 runs off 38 balls. Miller attacked Prasidh Krishna hard, hitting him for three maximums to end the game with three balls left in the match’s last over and 16 runs needed. The veteran’s knock enabled the team to advance to the competition’s final.

Before, throughout the group stage as well, the southpaw shown remarkable bat skills. He helped his club defeat Yellow Army by three wickets by scoring 94 runs off just 51 balls against the defending champions CSK. The fashionable left-hander will once again be a key batter for Gujarat to retain the championship in the following competition.

6. Rahul Tewatia

In 2020, Rahul Tewatia shot to fame with his amazing innings of 53 runs off 31 balls against Punjab Kings. After seeing his potential in that at-bat, Gujarat Titans (GT) decided to spend INR 9 crore on him in the 2022 mega auction to get his services. The team primarily utilized him as a lower-order batter in games.

The 29-year-old scored 217 runs in 16 games while batting down the order, racking up a spectacular strike rate of 147.61. He played a crucial role in the team’s victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the game with his 43 runs off 25 balls. He appeared in the game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) as well and used his two sixes in the final two deliveries to rescue them from losing.

Tewatia easily made the GT retention list in November because of his outstanding batting efforts. The franchise will rely on his match-winning abilities in the forthcoming version to decide close games in its favor.

7. Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade is renowned for his nimbleness behind the wickets and vicious batting technique. At the 2022 mega auction, GT paid INR 2.40 crore for the wicketkeeper-batter. GT gave him the assignment to open the innings alongside Shubman Gill in an effort to capitalise on his capacity for quick hits. After 11 years, the Australian returned to the league but struggled as an opener, scoring only 68 runs in five games.

He was discarded and replaced by Wriddhiman Saha due to his underwhelming performance as an opener. After the left-handed batter missed a few games, the team’s management restored their faith in him and added him to the starting lineup. But once more, batting third, he provided the squad with underwhelming statistics.

He let his team down by scoring only 157 runs in his final 10 games of the season while striking out at an appalling strike rate of 113.76. Nevertheless, the team chose to keep him in 2023 despite his dismal performance in the previous campaign. In September of this year, he returned to India to play a T20I series for his nation against the Men in Blue. The veteran played a few quick runs against the hosts while serving his country and demonstrated his ability to bat on Indian surfaces as well.

8. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan, an Afghanistan spinner, left Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2022 after five successful seasons for GT for a staggering INR 15 crore. The franchise had faith in his leg-break bowling and bottom-order batting, and they anticipated he to improve the team.

Serving his new team, the 24-year-old showed off his strength with the ball by capturing 19 victims in 16 games at an astounding economy of 6.59. The leggie gave his team a decisive victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by bowling his finest spell of the year (4/24 in 3.5 overs).

The daring Afghan athlete appeared spirited with the bat in addition to bowling. The young man was well-liked for his courageous batting against CSK and his former team SRH. Khan played the finisher in a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Sunrisers, contributing 31 runs off 11 balls. His all-around abilities will be required once more if the team is to successfully defend the championship in the next iteration of the competition.

9. Mohammed Shami

Gujarat Titans signed Mohammed Shami for INR 6.25 crore. The franchise provided him the opportunity to direct the team’s bowling attack, relying on his extensive experience and great bowling abilities. He put out his best effort and won the title of best bowler of the GT in the 2022 edition, benefiting from the management of the team’s confidence.

He was one of the main stars of the franchise’s incredible success, picking up 20 wickets in 16 games at an economy rate of 8.00. He helped GT earn its first win of the season by pitching a 3/25 inning against Lucknow Super Giants. He was also named Player of the Match. He later displayed his brilliance once more during the game against the Sunrisers with his 3/39 spell.

The pacer is eager to lend his damaging bowling to the team in the next league season. He filled in for an injured Jasprit Bumrah this year in the T20 World Cup 2022, helping India win six games with six wickets taken at an exceptional economy of 7.15.

10. Shivam Mavi

Shivam Mavi played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the lucrative league from 2018 to 2022, taking 30 wickets in 32 games at a pricey economy of 8.71. Due to his poor performance with the ball in the previous season, the young player was removed from the KKR retention list in November.

With only five wickets in six games and a dismal economy of 10.31, Mavi for KKR in 2022 appeared to be completely out of shape. He did, however, find a buyer at the just finished mini-auction as Gujarat Titans signed him for INR 6 crore. Mavi, who will join the new franchise in 2023 and bring his ruthless bowling speed, will aim to offer his all.

The 24-year-bowling old’s unit will be strengthened by the assistance of veteran Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, and team captain Hardik Pandya. The speedster recently broke the record for most wickets taken by his home team Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022–23. He looked amazing, picking up 10 wickets in seven games at an amazing economy of 6.64.

11. Yash Dayal

GT paid INR 3.20 crore to acquire first-class cricketer Yash Dayal in the 2022 mega auction. Dayal has produced numerous match-winning performances for his team Uttar Pradesh with his deadly seam bowling. GT tested him in nine games to stabilise the bowling assault since they trusted his reliable bowling performances for their national team.

The youthful player made his league debut, shown bravery, and claimed 11 victims in nine games. The franchise gave him some leeway despite his economy of 9.25 being high due to his valiant bowling performances. Dayal’s economical spell of 1/18 (3) aided the squad in the vital last game to restrict Rajasthan Royals to just 130/9.

The young player will wear a GT jersey once more at the upcoming event after being added to the franchise’s retention list last month. Dayal will have the chance to establish himself as GT’s top bowler throughout the event because the team might decide to trust him with match-winning duties in 2023. The previous time, Dayal was spotted using his variations to trouble the hitters with the support of coach Ashish Nehra.