IPL 2023: 5 GT players who might be benched throughout the season

Gujarat Titans played some phenomenal cricket in the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League and wrote their name in the history books by winning the title in their debut season. In the build-up to the next season, they backed the majority of their players to come good and parted ways with only six cricketers. With an eye on defending the crown in the 16th edition, GT filled the gaps in the squad with top-drawer players and they now have a well-rounded squad with a nice blend of youth and experience. But not all 25 players will be able to get an opportunity in IPL 2023. Let us look at the cricketers who might not play a single game in the coming season. Here are five GT players who could be benched throughout the season 5. Darshan Nalkande Darshan Nalkande has been a consistent performer in the Indian domestic circuit. The 24-year-old has featured in 21 List-A matches and bagged 34 wickets at an economy of 5.68. Talking about the shortest format, he has picked up 57 scalps in 34 matches at an economy of 7.60. Gujarat Titans signed Nalkande at the 2022 mega auction to bolster the fast-bowling line-up. But the youngster could not perform as per expectations and could manage just two scalps in as many games leaking runs at an alarming rate of 11.42. However, the team management showed faith in the Maharshtra-pacer and retained him for the coming season. Gujarat also have Indian pacers such as Shivam Mavi, Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal, and Pradeep Sangwan. The ace pacers have fared well in the IPL area in the past and thus, they are likely to be higher in the pecking order. Thus, Nalkande might not get a single game. 4. Noor Ahmad Noor Ahmad is one of the most exciting prospects in Afghanistan's cricketing circles. The young prodigy broke into the scene at the Shpageeza Cricket League 2019 where he spun the web around the opposition and took eight wickets in seven games. His stocks in the T20 arena have been on a rise since then. Noor has featured in 50 matches in the shortest format and bagged 46 wickets at an economy of 7.20. He also showed his bowling might for Afghanistan and picked a sensational four-wicket haul in his T20I debut. GT signed the left-arm wrist spinner at the 2022 mega auction but he could not break into the playing XI. Gujarat possess Rashid Khan as their overseas spinner, who is one of the best in business. Further, the defending champions also have Indian spin options in Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore and Jayant Yadav, who have done a decent job in the IPL in the past. Thus, Noor might warm the bench for the entire 2023 season. 3. Mohit Sharma Mohit Sharma has been a proven performer in the Indian Premier League. The ace pacer has featured in 86 matches and picked up 92 wickets at an economy of 8.45. He has made the ball talk at the start of the innings and provided his side with regular breakthroughs. However, Mohit has not been given a consistent run since IPL 2019. Mohit has a great deal of experience of playing the IPL and so, Gujarat Titans decided to include him in their arsenal for the 16th edition to strengthen the bowling attack. However, it seems unlikely that the Haryana-born would be able to break into the playing XI for even a single game. Gujarat's fast-bowling stocks have Indian seamers such as Mavi, Shami, Dayal, and Sangwan and in the presence of the quartet, the chances of Mohit finding a place in the team is quite bleak. 2. Vijay Shankar Vijay Shankar has been a bankable name in the Indian domestic circuit. The 31-year-old has featured in 92 List-A matches and scored 2316 runs at a strike rate of 90.57. On the bowling front, he has picked up 58 scalps at an economy of 5.15. Gujarat Titans signed him at the 2022 mega auction. However, the Indian all-rounder was nowhere close to his best and could only score 19 runs in four matches. Also, he did not have an impact with the ball. Despite, Shankar’s dismal season, GT have stuck with him for the 16th IPL edition. But it is not certain whether he will be able to make it to the starting XI. Gujarat have Kane Williamson, who has been a run-bank at the number three slot in the IPL arena. Also, they possess Sai Sudharsan who fared well in the last season, scoring 145 runs in five matches at an economy of 127.19. Thus, Shankar getting a match in the forthcoming season is highly unlikely. 1. Odean Smith Odean Smith created a lot of buzz with his exploits in the Caribbean Premier League 2021, which saw him take 18 wickets and hammer 126 runs at a strike rate of 132.63. Punjab Kings liked what they saw in the West Indies all-rounder and picked him at the 2022 mega auction. However, the 25-year-old had a miserable campaign and could score only 51 runs in six games at a strike rate of 115.91. On the bowling front, he conceded runs at an alarming rate of 11.87. Following the poor outing, the Punjab franchise released him from the team. Gujarat Titans decided to invest in the ace all-rounder and signed him at the IPL 2023 auction. However, it appears that Odean is more of a backup option and he could be benched for the entire season. GT have gun multi-faceted cricketers such as Hardik Pandya, Rahul Tewatia, and Rashid Khan in the mix. Given the quality of the all-rounders, Odean is unlikely to feature in the team. Also, given Hardik Pandya & co. have gun overseas pacers such as Alzarri Joseph and Josua Little, the Jamica-born might not make it to the playing XI as a genuine bowler as well.

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IPL 2023: 5 GT players who might be benched throughout the season

Gujarat Titans scripted history in IPL 2022 by winning the title in their debut season itself.

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