2022 Indian Premier League Team Preview: Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans are one of the two new franchises in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise has been bought by CVC Capital Partners in a bid estimated to be worth in the region of $750 million.
The team will be led by India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya whereas former fast-bowler Ashish Nehra will be the head coach.
The team’s first match is against the other newcomers in the league Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on March 28 whereas their last fixture in the first round is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 7 at the same venue.
Squad:
Hardik Pandya (captain), Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Shami, Lockie Ferguson, Abhinav Sadarangani, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmad, R Sai Kishore, Dominic Drakes, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Prandeep Sangwan, David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, Gurkeerat Singh, Varun Aaron
Players to watch out for:
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is a renowned name in the world of white-ball cricket and has won numerous matches for his national team as well as his former franchise Mumbai Indians. This year, the star all-rounder will be representing a new team and will be leading the side for the first time in the mega-event as well. Last 12 months have not been great for Pandya and he will be eager to return to full form and fitness in this year’s IPL. The 28-year-old has played 92 matches in the IPL where he has scored 1,476 runs at an average of 27.33 along with the strike-rate of 153.91, which included four half-centuries. He also has 42 wickets to his name at an average of 31.26.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan is arguably one of the best spinners in white-ball cricket. He has been an integral part of Sunrisers Hyderabad over the years but this year, he will be representing a new franchise in Gujrat Titans, who will be expecting big things from Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner. The 23-year-old has played 76 matches in the history of IPL where he has claimed 93 wickets at an average of 20.55 along with an outstanding economy-rate of 6.33.
David Miller
David Miller has been termed as one of the best finishers in white-ball cricket. The South Africa international has already showcased his class by playing some crucial knocks for Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals over the years. This year, he will be playing for Gujrat Titans and they will be hoping that he along with captain Pandya will help the side in posting big totals on the board. The 32-year-old has played 89 matches in the IPL where he has scored 1,974 runs at an average of 32.90 along with the strike-rate of 136.51, which included one century and 10 half-centuries.
Mohammad Shami
Mohammad Shami is an interesting pick for Gujrat Titans for their inaugural edition in the IPL. The right-arm pacer has had a hard time recently in white-ball cricket but his new franchise will be hoping for better things from the veteran fast-bowler in a relatively inexperienced bowling attack. Shami has played 77 matches in IPL where he has managed to claim 79 wickets at an average of 30.40 along with an economy-rate of 21.1.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is an exciting prospect and has already showcased his talent in different T20 leagues. The right-hander is an exceptional batter who can hit big and it will be interesting to see how he will perform in his debut IPL season. Gurbaz has already played 69 T20 matches where he has scored 1,620 runs at an average of 24.17 along with an outstanding strike-rate of 151.82, which include 10 half-centuries.
