Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Gujarat Titans IPL 2023 Preview: Will GT go back-to-back? | GT IPL 2023 SWOT analysis: Can the Titans do it again?
Gujarat Titans (GT) defied the odds in IPL 2022. Tipped by many to do it tough in their debut season, the Titans, led by the gritty Hardik Pandya, pulled off a stunning triumph. They achieved both efficient and impossible wins throughout the campaign, and will be aiming to produce another memorable season in 2023.
However, the key question is whether they can follow up such a brilliant effort with another. The hunters are now the hunted, with nine other capable teams seeking glory. In this article, we’ll analyse GT ahead of what promises to be a cracking IPL 2023 season.
You can also watch the video version of our Gujarat Titans video on CricBlog TV here on YouTube or below:
GT IPL 2023 squad
| Player | Role | Auction Price |
| Shubman Gill | Batsman | INR 8 Crores(R) |
| Sai Sudarshan | Batsman | INR 20 Lakhs(R) |
| Abhinav Sadarangani | Batsman | INR 2.60 Crores(R) |
| David Miller | Batsman | INR 3 crores(R) |
| Matthew Wade (wk) | WK-Batsman | INR 2.40 Crores(R) |
| Wriddhiman Saha (wk) | WK-Batsman | INR 1.90 Crores(R) |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler | INR 15 Crores(R) |
| Darshan Nalkande | Bowler | INR 20 Lakhs(R) |
| Yash Dayal | Bowler | INR 3.20 Crores(R) |
| Pradeep Sangwan | Bowler | INR 20 Lakhs(R) |
| Alzarri Joseph | Bowler | INR 2.40 Crores(R) |
| R Sai Kishore | Bowler | INR 3 Crores(R) |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Shivam Mavi |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler | INR 6.25 Crores(R) |
| Hardik Pandya (c) | All-rounder | INR 15 Crores(R) |
| Vijay Shankar | All-rounder | INR 1.40 Crores(R) |
| Jayant Yadav | All-rounder | INR 1.70 Crores(R) |
| Rahul Tewatia | All-rounder | INR 9 Crores(R) |
| Kane Williamson | Batsman | INR 2 crore |
| Odean Smith | All-rounder | INR 50 lakh |
| KS Bharat | WK-Batsman | INR 1.2 crore |
| Shivam Mavi | Bowler | INR 6 crore |
| Urvil Patel | WK-Batsman | INR 20 lakh |
| Joshua Little | Bowler | INR 4.4 crore |
| Mohit Sharma | Bowler | INR 50 lakh |
Possible XI for first match
1. Shubman Gill, 2. Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3. Matthew Wade/Kane Williamson (OS), 4. Hardik Pandya (c), 5. David Miller (OS), 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Rashid Khan (OS), 8. R Sai Kishore, 9. Josh Little/Alzarri Joseph (OS), 10. Yash Dayal, 11. Mohammed Shami
GT IPL 2023 Preview: Strengths & Weaknesses
Here are our strengths and weaknesses for the current champions, also touching on their opportunities and threats.
Strengths/Opportunities:
Hardik Pandya’s leadership
Speaking of Hardik Pandya, his terrific leadership was a key factor in Gujarat’s success. Instead of seeing challenges, such as slow surfaces, as barriers, he looked at them as opportunities to drive the team forward. His on-field tactics, including how he marshalled his fielders and bowlers, was so crucial in GT’s match-to-match consistency.
And, of course, the captaincy brought out the best in Pandya’s all-round performance. He scored the fourth-most runs (487) and also contributed with the ball. If he produces anything like that (which he certainly can), Gujarat will be held in good stead.
Middle order that can pull off stunning chases
Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad. One key aspect of GT’s 2022 campaign was how they won matches from seemingly impossible positions. Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan, who were architects of some of their stunning chases, are assets once again. They also have hard-hitting all-rounder Odean Smith in their squad, who can prove to be a shrewd pickup.
Also, the wonderful David Miller is on deck. Last season, Miller hit 220 runs when chasing at an average of 110 and strike rate of 143.8.
Shubman Gill in magnificent touch
What a year Shubman Gill is having. He is now one of the few Indian players to have scored a century in all three formats, and he is well placed to have a massive season.
Solid balance of pace and spin options
The great Rashid Khan is coming off a brilliant PSL campaign. Mohammed Shami was outstanding in 2022, and he is an asset once again in 2023. In amongst that, GT will have at least one solid overseas seamer in their attack in the form of Alzarri Joseph or Josh Little, with the Irishman having the potential to be one of the best purchases in the league.
Also, Hardik Pandya in bowling form gives the Titans so much more flexibility should one or two of the frontline bowlers have an off day.
Weaknesses/Threats
Batting lineup still shorter compared to other teams
Yes, GT have players who can pull off stunning chases. However, the fact is they lack some of the depth that other teams possess, and relying on bowling all-rounders to deliver time after time is a risk.
Can Matthew Wade, Kane Williamson and Wriddhiman Saha deliver?
Speaking of the middle order, the top order need to ensure they set good platforms more often than not. Gill, as mentioned, is capable of delivering, but can Saha, Wade, Willamson and co. do so too?
Saha had a solid 2022 campaign with 312 runs at an average of 39.00 at a strike rate of 121. Wade, on the other hand, averaged just 20.3 with a strike rate of 120.5. Williamson struggled even more last season, coming in for huge criticism for his sub-100 strike rate.
With at least two of the three likely to start, they will want to quash questions quickly around their strike rates and hit the ground running to reduce pressure on a middle order that is capable of recovery. However, you don’t want to play around with the law of averages.
Verdict
On deck at Ahmedabad in front of huge crowds this season, GT will certainly be among the contenders to qualify for the playoffs. I back them to finish top of the league and challenge for the title once again.
