3 areas where GT's IPL 2025 squad is better than IPL 2024
The Gujarat Titans (GT) have been one of the most consistent sides in the last three seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Making their debut in 2022, the Titans secured a title victory under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.
The Pandya-led side continued their impressive run in the cash-rich league in the 2023 season, where they emerged as the runner-up. However, after the all-rounder made a switch to the Mumbai Indians, Shubman Gill led the Titans side. GT could not seal the playoff spot, with five wins in 14 league matches.
The Gujarat-based franchise retained five players ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Namely, they were Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan.
On D-day, they secured the services of Jos Buttler, Mohammad Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Washington Sundar and many other notable players. On that note, let's check out the three reasons why GT's IPL 2025 is better than the last edition.
#1 Reliable opening pair
In the last season, the Gujarat Titans opened with Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha. During his nine-game stint, Saha contributed only 136 runs at a dismal average of around 15. After the right-hander could not provide a good start to the franchise, his dismissal put pressure on the middle order.
Jos Buttler was the Titans' finest overseas acquisition at INR 15.75 crore. The Englishman is coming off a successful three-year stint with the Rajasthan Royals, where he emerged as their finest batter with 1,618 runs in 42 innings. Interestingly, he was the Orange Cap holder in 2022 season with 863 runs.
With an opening pair of Buttler-Gill, the Titans are well placed to get off to an impressive start. Gill is the top batter for the Titans in the last three seasons with 1,799 runs in 45 innings and displayed tremendous consistency.
If Buttler decides to take on the bowlers, Gill can play as a second fiddle and steer the team at a lavish rate or vice versa. Importantly, both players have proved their ability to carry their bat on multiple occasions.
#2 Potent pace bowling unit
The Gujarat Titans decided to let go of their veteran pacers, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma, who picked up a combined 21 wickets, albeit at an expensive economy of over 10.
Instead, they got a terrific bowling arsenal consisting of Mohammad Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, who would infuse fresh energy into the side. Siraj, Rabada, and Krishna have been in terrific red-ball form and would look to replicate the same in the IPL 2025.
Meanwhile, the veteran pacer, Sharma recently returned to play competitive cricket for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. So far, he has scalped four wickets in three games at an economy of 7.69.
#3 Strong overseas batting backups
In the last edition, the Gujarat Titans relied on South African batter, David Miller for getting a desired finish in the death overs. Although, the southpaw slammed 210 runs at a strike rate of around 150, he did not find retention from the Titans.
Although the Titans tried to bring back Miller, the value got higher for them in the IPL 2025 auction. As a result, the southpaw will now play for the Lucknow Super Giants.
Nevertheless, GT purchased quality overseas finishers like Sherfane Rutherford, Glenn Phillips, and Gerald Coetzee. With the team already having finishers in the form of Shahrukh Khan and Raul Tewatia, the trio could be rotated well to help GT find the desired outcome.
Rutherford has been imperious this year in international as well as franchise cricket. The Caribbean batter slammed 68* off 39 against New Zealand in T20 World Cup, and recently smashed 103* off 40 balls in Abu Dhabi T10 League.
Coetzee recently helped South Africa to win a solitary T20I game against India with his quickfire cameo of 19* off nine balls in Gqeberha. Meanwhile, Phillips has the reputation of dismantling opposition with his attacking mindset and also secure breakthroughs with the ball.