IPL 2024: 3 changes Gujarat Titans should make to get back to winning ways

Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium was expected to produce a high-scoring thriller, but it turned out to be a one-sided low-scoring affair as the hosts cruised to a convincing four-wicket victory. Yes, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had some hiccups while chasing a meagre 148 runs, but they were always on top of the game, credit to the openers.

Gujarat Titans (GT) were invited to bat and RCB bowlers put on a scintillating show throughout the match. Swapnil Singh bowled a tidy opening over and Mohammed Siraj complemented well by nipping out both the GT openers. The visitors were reduced to the lowest powerplay total of this season. A 50+ partnership between Shahrukh Khan and David Miller gave some life to GT's innings, but in the end, they managed to post only a below-par score on the board. 

In reply, RCB openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis came out all guns blazing. The skipper was the most aggressive among them and helped RCB post their highest Powerplay score of the season (92/0) as he hit 64 off 23 balls. Soon after his dismissal in the sixth over, the home side endured a mini-collapse as they were reduced to 117/6, thanks to Joshua Little’s four-wicket haul.

However, the damage was already done and Dinesh Karthik and Swapnil Singh took them over the line. RCB chased down the target in 13.4 overs and registered a big win to move up to seventh in the points table. Meanwhile, Titans have slipped to ninth in the points table with seven losses from 11 matches.

Here are the 3 changes that Gujarat Titans need to make before their next match against CSK:

3. Replace Wriddhiman Saha with BR Sharath

Wriddhiman Saha has had a long run this season with GT but hasn’t been able to make any impact for the team. In nine innings, the keeper-batter has scored just 136 runs at an average of 15.11 and a strike rate of 118.25. Notably, he survived the powerplay only once in 9 innings.

This spells high time for GT to find a replacement for the senior cricketer. As GT cannot afford an overseas wicketkeeper right now, Karnataka player BR Sharath can be considered over Matthew Wade. The 27-year-old has been impressive on the domestic circuit and could do well for GT in the remaining races of the series.

2. Bring in Kane Williamson to bolster the middle order

Kane Williamson has played only a handful of matches this season. It may be true that he was not impressive in those innings, but the experience he brings to the team and his ability to win crucial matches is what GT need right now.

If Sai Sudharsan can open the innings with Shubman Gill in place of Saha, Williamson can come at No.3. The New Zealand captain can anchor the innings and help them finish with a good score. Currently, GT's middle order looks inconsistent and will only get stronger with the addition of the veteran batter.

1. Shubman Gill needs to step up

Shubman Gill is the leading force in GT's batting unit. He has scored over 320 runs in the ongoing IPL 2024 but has been struggling in the last four matches, scoring just 59 runs. It's the team's overall performance that may be holding him back from performing at his best. 

However, as it is a do-or-die situation for the 2022 champions, no excuse can help him and the team and the GT opener needs to step up. Gill has the ability to give a solid powerplay and stabilise the innings in the middle over to help the team reach a competitive total.