'They have done well' - Anil Kumble happy with Gujarat Titans' signings at IPL auction 2023

Gujarat Titans, the current Indian Premier League champions, have had a good time at IPL 2023 mini-auction with some quality signings. The Titans made their first signing in form of West Indies bowling all-rounder Odean Smith for INR 50 lakh and then made headlines as they bagged Kane Williamson at his base price of INR 2 crore.

The Titans also won the bid for young Indian wicketkeeper batter KS Bharat for INR 1.2 crore but made their biggest business of the day by signing young pacer Shivam Mavi for INR 6 crore. The former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble praised the franchise for their activities during the auction and described the signing of KS Bharat as a good backup option for wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha and Mathew Wade.

“Gujarat Titans have done well – Odean Smith for 50 lakhs, Kane Williamson at the base price of 2 cr, Bharat at 1.2 cr, and Mavi as well. I have heard some good words coming from Rahul Dravid on someone like Bharat and it’s really nice that someone like him has had the opportunity. We spoke about getting a wicket-keeper batter, not as a replacement but as a backup for Wriddhiman Saha and Mathew Wade and I think Bharat fits that bill and it’s wonderful to see him be part of Gujarat Titans,” Anil Kumble said.

The Titans entered the auction with a purse of INR 19.25 crore. They traded Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson and wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz to Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2023 auction. They were the first and only team to bid for Williamson, who as the first pick to go under hammer on Friday.

They faced no competition for the signing of Odean Smith, who cost only INR 50 lakh. However, they faced some bidding for KS Bharat from Chennai Super Kings before signing him for INR 1.2 crore. Gujarat Titans faced tough competition for the signing of Mavi with Rajasthan Royals showing strong interest. But once again, the Titans managed to win the bid.