IPL 2024 SWOT Analysis: Can Gujarat Titans make it to their third consecutive final? | cricket news

Gujarat Titans (GT) have performed well in the first two seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Hardik Pandya led the team to back-to-back finals, with GT winning the title in 2022 and finishing as runners-up in 2023. Expectations will be high again from the Gujarat Titans but the challenge will be tougher under the leadership of new skipper Shubman Gill. In the mini-auction in December 2023, GT secured the services of Azmatullah Omarzai, Umesh Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Spencer Johnson, Manav Suthar, Kartik Tyagi, Sushant Mishra and Robin Minz for a total of Rs 30.3 crore. Gujarat Titans will start their Indian Premier League 2024 season on March 24 against Mumbai Indians, and ahead of the new season, let’s analyze their strengths, weaknesses, etc. in a SWOT analysis.

Advantage

GT has an exquisite batting line-up that includes Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia and Matthew Wade. Any one of these players could be a match-winner on the day, capable of both setting up an innings when needed and also playing an attacking role.

Shubman Gill is in great form in IPL 2023, having scored 890 runs in 17 games last year. At the mini-auction, GT also bought Tamil Nadu hard-hitter Shahrukh Khan, who is known for his explosive batting in the domestic circuit and can play a big role in the middle order. contribute.

On the bowling front, Rashid Khan will be the go-to player for the team, especially in the middle order, and the Afghanistan spinner can also score runs quickly when needed. His compatriot and teammate Noor Ahmad, who impressed with 16 scalps last season, will provide spin support to Rashid. Additionally, the speed and variety of newly acquired Umesh Yadav will be crucial for GT’s early breakthrough in the powerplay.

weakness

The consistent and consistent bowling performance of the Gujarat Titans has been a key factor in their success over the past two seasons. However, Hardik Pandya’s departure from Mumbai Indians and Mohammed Shami’s injury came as a huge blow to the team. The GT team also doesn’t have any notable all-around players, which means the team’s depth and balance are two issues they have to contend with.

At the same time, not having a death expert will cause them a lot of problems. Umesh Yadav, Spencer Johnson and Mohit Sharma can provide wickets early on but they tend to leak runs towards the end of the innings and this will be an area of ​​concern for the Titans.

Chance

IPL 2024 will be a great opportunity for Shubman Gill to showcase his leadership qualities. If he can perform well this year and lead GT to IPL glory, Gill will also become a strong contender as India’s white-ball captain in the absence of Rohit Sharma.

Additionally, Joshua Little is the first Irish player to feature in the IPL and he will be looking to leave his mark after taking 7 wickets in a below-par season last year , he will be encouraged. Spencer Johnson, who has performed well in the Big Bash League 2023-24, becoming the second-highest wicket taker in the tournament with 19 scalps, is also keen to play on the biggest T20 team stage in the world Feel your own presence.

threaten

Shubman Gill will captain the Gujarat Titans for the first time in IPL 2024. How he handles the pressure of captaincy and how it affects his batting form is the big question on everyone’s mind. The Titans have loved getting early breakthroughs with the new ball on the power play over the past few seasons, and this is another aspect of their game that will be looked at.

With Shami out injured, the Titans do not have any proven pacer who is known to be able to break into the opposition’s batting line-up early on. If they rely too much on Rashid Khan’s wickets, it’s a safe bet that Titans may find it difficult to reach the playoffs, let alone the finals, which they have played in both seasons of the IPL so far until.

Maybe 12

Shubman Gill(c), Viriddhiman Saha(wk), Syed Sudarsan, Vijay Shahkar, David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Spencer Johnson, Umesh Yadav, Shah Rukh Khan/Kartik Tyagi ( impact substitute).