IPL 2024: Likely Best Playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT)

Shubman Gill, the new heir as we look at the best possible playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT) for IPL 2024 ahead of the tournament. 

One of the newest of the two teams in the competition, the Gujarat Titans has had a successful run so far in the tournament. Under the able leadership of Hardik Pandya, they finished as champions in IPL 2022 and as runners-up in IPL 2023. It was all going well for Gujarat Titans until the biggest news of the Indian Premier League 2024 broke out.

As a shocker to the Gujarat Titans and the Indian Premier League fans, Captain Hardik Pandya was traded to his former franchise Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal. After having led Gujarat Titans in two successful seasons, this was surely a bummer to the team and its fans. But having said that, it can also be considered the beginning of a new era under the leadership of Shubman Gill.

Gill was the Orange Cap holder in IPL 2023, and with Hardik not there, this is not only the beginning of the Gujarat Titans’ new era, but it is also a great chance for Shubman Gill to show his prowess as a leader. So, with a Hardik-less Gujarat Titans, what’s the likely best playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT) for IP 2024? Well, let’s find out in this article. Before that, let’s look at the official squad for GT for IPL 2024. 

IPL 2024 Official Squad Players List for Gujarat Titans (GT)

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

WKs: Matthew Wade (o), Robin Minz & Wriddhiman Saha

All-rounders: Azmatullah Omerzai (o), Jayant Yadav, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan & Vijay Shankar

Bowlers: Darshan Nalkande, Joshua Little (o), Kartik Tyagi, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad (o), R Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan (o), Spencer Johnson (o), Sushant Mishra & Umesh Yadav

IPL 2024 Likely Best Playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT)

Openers – Shubman Gill & Wriddhiman Saha

The Gujarat Titans team found a successful opening combination in IPL 2023 in the form of Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha. While Gill ended as the leading run scorer of IPL 2023, Saha packed the pinch with some really helpful knocks. So, expect Gujarat Titans to continue with these for the initial few matches before taking any further call.

Middle-order – Sai Sudharsan & Kane Williamson

Coming to the middle-order, Gujarat Titans will once again see Sai Sudharsan handling the number 3 position after impressing with some really good performances in IPL 2023. Following Sudharsan should mostly be Kane Williamson, unless, of course, Williamson doesn’t get any injury concerns. If not for Williamson, Gujarat may see Abhinav Manohar at number 4.

Finishers – David Miller, Sharukh Khan & Rahul Tewatia

Coming to finishers, the loss of Hardik Pandya is undoubtedly very difficult to fill. As a replacement, although not like for like, Gujarat Titans have Shahrukh Khan playing that role. These are very big shoes to fill, and would be interesting to see how Shahrukh Khan performs. But supporting Shahrukh are two strong finishers in the form of David Miller and Rahul Tewatia, which kind of balance the whole team.

Bowlers – Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Spencer Johnson & Umesh Yadav

Talking about the bowling, Rashid Khan will once again lead the spin bowling duties. Whereas Mohammed Shami will lead the pace bowling duties. Gujarat Titans are known for their bowling, and even without Hardik Pandya, the team will have Spencer Johnson, Mohit Sharma, and Umesh Yadav other than Shami and Rashid. While Umesh Yadav will be in the starting 11, Mohit Sharma will come in for Kane Williamson as an impact player.

IPL 2024 Likely Best Playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT) – Batting First

Shubman Gill (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudarsan, Kane Williamson, David Miller, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav & Spencer Johnson. 

IPL 2024 Likely Best Playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT) – Bowling First

Shubman Gill (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudarsan, Kane Williamson, David Miller, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson & Mohit Sharma

GT Playing 11 2024 Alternate Options:

#1: Abhinav Manohar for Kane Williamson

If we observe the current Gujarat Titans setup, it looks like a well-balanced outfit. But Kane Williamson as we know is injury prone. In case Kane Williamson isn’t available, the team can play Abhinav Manohar for Kane Williamson, and in the bowling, can bring in Joshua Little or Noor Ahmad for Umesh Yadav. This will make GT’s bowling stronger, but batting may take a hit.

#2: Pace Backups Alternative Options

The current Gujarat Titans team has a lot of backups in place. If we look at the pace bowling backups, they have Kartik Tyagi, Sushant Mishra, Darshan Nalkande, and Joshua Little. Similarly, If we look at the spinners, Gujarat Titans have R Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmed, and Manav Suthar. So, in terms of backups, Gujarat Titans are sorted in both the bowling areas.

#3: Options for Spin-friendly Pitches

Finally, Gujarat Titans have strength in their bowling, and more specifically spin bowling. In case they play on pitches like Chennai, Kolkata, and even Delhi, the team can play both Noor Ahmad as well as R Sai Kishore. With these two and Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia already there, Gujarat Titans have a potent spin attack. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT) for IPL 2024? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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