IPL 2022: SWOT Analysis of Gujarat Titans (GT)

The Indian Premier League has been expanded, from previously being an eight-team to now being a ten-team tournament, as we get into its 15th season. In Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants, there have been two new teams added to the mega T20 league. The IPL mega auction was concluded on February 13 with all ten teams, having finalised their squads going ahead into the 2022 season. However, before the mega auction was held, there was also a player draft that allowed the two new teams to form the core of their squads.

The Gujarat Titans roped in Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya as their captain for Rs 15 crore. Apart from Pandya, the two other players that the Titans drafted were former Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler, Rashid Khan for Rs 15 crore and young Indian batter Shubman Gill for Rs 7 crore.

At the auction table, the GT made some expensive purchases. New Zealand fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson, turned out to be their costliest buy, with the Titans shelling out Rs 10 crore for him. They also spent heavily on Indian all-rounder, Rahul Tewatia, buying him for Rs 9 crore. Having been bought at Rs 6.25 crore, Mohammed Shami became the Titan’s third-most expensive pick.

Gujarat Titans also roped in well established overseas options in players like Matthew Wade, Jason Roy, David Miller and Alzarri Joseph. They will also be having the services of some of the experienced cricketers in Wriddhiman Saha, Vijay Shankar and Pradeep Sangwan.

Here’s the full Gujarat Titans squad:

Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Jason Roy, Lockie Ferguson, Abhinav Sadarangani, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmad, R Sai Kishore, Dominic Drakes, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Pradeep Sangwan, David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, Gurkeerat Singh, Varun Aaron, B Sai Sudharshan

Here’s the SWOT analysis of the Gujarat Titans squad for IPL 2022

Strengths- All bases covered in the bowling attack

In terms of the squad, their strength lies in the bowling department. The Titans have done well to establish a well-rounded bowling lineup with the perfect mix of local and foreign talent. Usually, all teams in the league intend on building their bowling attack around an India fast bowler. By roping in Mohammad Shami, the Gujarat Titans have pretty much nailed that slot. Shami had been exceptional in the last couple of seasons for the Punjab Kings, where he consistently picked wickets upfront and was also economical in the death.

Out of the 3 draft picks that the franchise made before the auctions, the most valuable of them all could be the mystery spinner from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan. Rashid, a leg-break bowler, is a seasoned T20 journeyman and has caused difficulties for all sorts of batsmen, around the globe. His numbers speak for himself in the IPL and there is no endorsement the bowler needs. The Titan’s bowling lineup is completed with an out and out overseas fast bowler in Lockie Ferguson, who possesses the ability to clock 150 km/h thus making it a very solid attack for the Titans.

Young Indian batter, Shubman Gill could prove to be another of their strengths. Gill, who was picked up by the franchisee in the drafts stage could be seen as a long-term investment. The batsman from Punjab has already showcased his potential to the world on the biggest of stages including international cricket. He has previously opened for the Kolkata Knight Riders and even though there have been questions raised over his strike rate, the ability he possesses is there for everyone to see. If the right-handed batter can work on his strike rate, he could give the Titans many a brilliant start opening the batting for them. In Gill, the Titans could also be looking at a future captaincy option.