The new franchise Gujarat Titans (GT) have started their IPL journey with a winning streak. It has had a dream start in its debut season as they have won its first two games in this 15th edition. They played their first game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), another new franchise led by Indian opening batsman KL Rahul and another against Delhi Capitals under Rishabh Pant’s leadership.
The team is currently in the third spot with 4 points, while Rajasthan Royals is leading the table with 4 points and a better net run rate.
Strengths
Strong Batting Lineup
Gujarat Titans’ batting lineup is full of heavy hitters. At the opening, the team has Indian Opener Shubman Gill, who provides a steady start and can go big if needed. Also, experienced Matthew Wade opening with young Shubman Gill provides the team with a good opening pair.
The Middle order of Gujarat Titans consists of heavy hitters like Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, and Rahul Tewatia. This firepower in the batting lineup can put fear in any bowler’s mind.
In the last game against Delhi Capitals, GT scored 171 with a loss of 6 wickets. Indian Opener Shubhman Gill did not disappoint his captain and scored 84 runs off 46 balls, helping the team reach a good total to defend. The middle-order contributed with Pandya, Miller, and Tewatia scoring runs at the strike rate of over 120.
Tough Bowling Lineup
Every team needs a perfect combination of batsmen and bowlers to win a tournament, and Gujarat Titans seem to have just the right balance, as the bowling lineup consists of the best bowlers in World Cricket. The bowling lineup possesses Mohammed Shami, Lockie Ferguson, Rashid Khan, Hardik Pandya, and Rahul Tewatia to play an integral role in the middle overs of the game.
Mohammed Shami is currently in fifth place on the Bowling leader board in IPL 2022, as he has five wickets to his name. On the other hand, Umesh Yadav playing from Kolkata Knight riders leads the chart with eight wickets.
In the opening match against Lucknow Super Giants, Shami knocked out the opening pair for LSG as the skipper KL Rahul was made for walking to the pavilion on the first ball. At the same time, his opening partner Quinton De Kock was also sent back.
Later the middle order of LSG consisting of big names like Manish Pandey, Evin Lewis, and Deepak Hooda posed a threat to the Gujarat Titans but was sent to the pavilion by the magic trio of Varun Aaron, Mohammed Shami, and Rashid Khan.
Weaknesses
It will be hard for the new franchise to continue with this winning streak despite carrying such strong names in the lineup and good results in the first two games. The team depends on its openers, and if the opposition manages to take them out early, it could lead to an easy collapse of the Titan’s batting lineup. For many, the middle-order has been a concern, such as Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya. Irrespective of being strong hitters of the balls, they have not been in the form for a while. Hardik Pandya got dropped from the Indian team due to his bad form and inability to perform as an all-rounder.
New Franchise, New Captain, New Management
The Gujarat Titans are playing their debut season, and the team is realistic about its prospect this season of the IPL. The new franchise is full of young energy as it is led by one of the best players in the format Hardik Pandya. He has surprised everyone with his captaincy and has earned praise from England off-spinner Graeme Swann. In an interview with Star Sports, Pandya said, “He is like a kid who has been made captain of a U-15 team. Boy! Isn’t he doing it well? I was very, very impressed with his captaincy. He has got an aura and personality; he owns himself to leading other men. He looks calm, he always looks calculated.” The team management also possesses strong names as the former Indian fast bowler is the head coach, and supporting him is batting coach and mentor, Gary Kirsten.
