Exclusive: Gujarat Titans (GT) Predicted Playing 11 for IPL 2023

Hardik Pandya to lead the defending champions as we look at the best predicted playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT) for IPL 2023.

The defending champions, Gujarat Titans did pretty well in the IPL 2023 Retentions and Auction. While they only let go of a few surplus players, the Auction not only covered that but also gave a few good players, who are going to alter the strongest playing 11 for Gujarat Titans for IPL 2023. 

Among the few changes that Gujarat Titans made in the Auction, the purchase of Kane Williamson and Odean Smith will prompt quite a good number of changes in their 11. Another important fact that the Gujarat Titans team is well adapted to is the Ahmedabad pitch. 

The Ahmedabad pitch is often a surprise package. It turns cats and dogs in Test matches. But in the limited-overs matches that have been played here, it usually is a high-scoring pitch with the assistance to pacers. So, given the situation at hand, what could be the strongest playing 11 that Gujarat titans can adopt for IPL 2023? Well, let’s find out in this article. 

IPL 2023: Official Squad and Players List for Gujarat Titans (GT)

Batters: Abhinav Manohar, David Miller (o), Kane Williamson (o) & Shubman Gill

WKs: KS Bharat, Matthew Wade (o), Wriddhiman Saha & Urvil Patel

All-rounders: B Sai Sudharshan, Darshan Nalkande, Hardik Pandya (c), Jayant Yadav, Odean Smith (o), Rahul Tewatia & Vijay Shankar

Bowlers: Alzarri Joseph (o), Joshua Little (o), Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad (o), Pradeep Sangwan, R Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan (o), Shivam Mavi & Yash Dayal

Best Playing 11 for Gujarat Titans:

Openers: Shubman Gill & Wriddhiman Saha

Gujarat Titans have a few options to explore when it comes to their opening combination. Among the openers that Gujarat Titans have, Shubman Gill should be the first-choice and confirmed opener for them. Gill was retained by Gujarat ahead of IPL 2022, and he delivered an excellent performance in IPL 2022 to make his claim stronger. 

Apart from Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans have 3 good options: Wridhiiman Saha, KS Bharat, and Matthew Wade. Among the three options, Matthew Wade is a big name, but wasn’t good in 2022. Saha, who replaced Wade as the opener did pretty well in the limited opportunities they got. While KS Bharat is also an option, think Gujarat Titans could stick to Saha as the opener to start with.

Middle-order: Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya & David Miller

Coming to the middle-order, Gujarat Titans should go with the same big names in the form of Hardik Pandya and David Miller. However, with the addition of Kane Williamson in the side, we should see him playing at number 3 with Hardik Pandya at 4 and David Miller at 5. This is a strong middle-order as compared to what we had seen in 2022. 

Lower-order: Rahul Tewatia & Odean Smith

The lower-order may pose a tough question for Gujarat Titans. They have Matthew Wade, who is naturally a finisher more than an opener. Then they have Odean Smith, who is not only a finisher but an important pacer that Gujarat can look up to. It’s a tough choice, but Gujarat Titans may go with Odean Smith as he can also add up as a pacer, if needed. Apart from Odean Smith, who could play at 7, Gujarat Titans have Spin all-rounder Rahul Tewatia for the finisher role.

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Shivam Mavi, Mohammed Shami & R. Sai Kishore 

Finally, coming to the bowlers, Gujarat Titans have four good options and three good all-rounders to fall back on. Among the four first-choice options, Gujarat Titans have Rashid Khan and R Sai Kishore as the spinners and Mohammed Shami and Shivam Mavi. This is in addition to pacers Hardik Pandya and Odean Smith, and spinner Rahul Tewatia. 

IPL 2023 Best Predicted Playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT): 

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha [wk], Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya [c], David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Odean Smith, Rashid Khan, Shivam Mavi, Mohammed Shami & R Sai Kishore. 

So, that’s about the best predicted playing 11 for Gujarat Titans for IPL 2023. Apart from the strongest one mentioned above, Gujarat Titans can also explore the following options depending on the situation.

Alternate Best Playing 11 Options for Gujarat Titans:

#1: KS Bharat for Wriddhiman Saha

The battle between KS Bharat vs Wridhiman Saha for the wicket-keeper may not be intense and of priority. But sooner or later, this headache will arrive for GT. While Saha is an experienced campaigner, and he did well in 2022, KS Bharat is full of potential. So, while Saha may be given a go early on, KS Bharat replacing him won’t be a bad option either.

#2: Yash Dayal for R Sai Kishore for Pacr-friendly Conditions

In our best predicted playing 11, R Sai Kishore comes in as the fourth bowler in the squad. With three spinners in the squad, it makes up for a good 11 for spinning conditions. However, if the pitch assists pace, pacer Yash Dayal may get a nod ahead of spinner R. Sai Kishore.  

#3: Matthew Wade for Odean Smith

While Odean Smith seems an ideal bet as a finisher all-rounder for Gujarat Titans, Matthew Wade as a finisher isn’t a bad option either. So, with 6 bowlers already there in best playing 11 for Gujarat Titans, the presence of finisher Matthew Wade will give a good batting depth to GT. Wade has played a finisher role for Australia, and he seems quite natural with that. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Gujarat Titans for IPL 2023? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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