GT's best playing 11 plus Impact Player after IPL 2025 Auction ft. Shubman Gill & Jos Buttler
The Gujarat Titans (GT) endured a disappointing campaign in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) but made up for it to a certain extent with their work at the 2025 auction. The 2022 IPL champions were one of the standout teams on November 24 and 25 as they assembled a gun squad for the upcoming edition.
The Titans made several high-profile signings at the auction, including Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Washington Sundar. They have most bases covered heading into IPL 2025, and picking their ideal playing XII isn't too difficult.
GT's squad for IPL 2025: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Sherfane Rutherford, Jos Buttler, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, M Shahrukh Khan, Mahipal Lomror, Nishant Sindhu, Arshad Khan, Jayant Yadav, Glenn Phillips, Karim Janat, Manav Suthar, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gerald Coetzee, Gurnoor Brar, Ishant Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya.
On that note, here is GT's strongest side, including an impact player, for IPL 2025.
Openers: Shubman Gill (c) and Jos Buttler (wk)
GT have tried out several opening combinations in the last three IPL seasons, and they finally have a settled one that consists of two consistent performers. Buttler and Shubman Gill will face up against the new ball, with both batters capable of winning games single-handedly for the franchise.
Middle order: B Sai Sudharsan, Mahipal Lomror, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia
GT will need spin-hitters in the middle order, and they have two left-handers in the form of Sai Sudharsan and Mahipal Lomror. Sai Sudharsan, who is also assured against pace, will play a key role at No. 3.
New signing Sherfane Rutherford has been in incredible form over the last year or so, and he adds a level of completeness to the Titans' middle order. His terrific performances should keep Glenn Phillips on the bench for now, although having three left-handers in quick succession might not be an ideal scenario for the team.
The retained uncapped duo of Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia will round off the middle order. Both players need to be at the top of their game.
Lower order: Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
GT's most valuable player, Rashid Khan, adds depth to the side. Gujarat might need to choose between Washington Sundar and R Sai Kishore to partner Rashid in the spin attack.
Sundar is the more established player and offers a bit more with the bat, but having a quality left-arm spinner will be one of the keys to victory against most oppositions, who are stacked with right-handers. Lomror isn't likely to convince the team management much with his bowling, and Sai Kishore might thus pip his Tamil Nadu teammate to a spot in GT's strongest XI.
Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna will form GT's pace attack. While this would leave them a bit thin on death bowling, these bowlers will need to adapt on the fly and step up.