"They have a lot of top-order batters and have to somehow fit them in" - Abhinav Mukund on Gujarat Giants' problem area after WPL 2023 Auction
Abhinav Mukund believes Gujarat Giants' top-heavy batting lineup could prove to be their Achilles heel in WPL 2023.
The Giants bought a full quota of 18 players, including six foreigners, at the WPL Auction 2023 in Mumbai on Monday, February 13. They exhausted almost their entire 12-crore budget while making these acquisitions as they were left with just ₹5 lakh at the end of the bidding process.
During a discussion on Sports 18, Mukund was asked about his thoughts on how the Gujarat Giants shaped up after initial concerns about the lack of Indian talent, to which he responded:
"I would still think they have a few gaps. If you look at the squad composition, I feel they have got a lot of top-order batters and they have got to fit them in somehow or the other."
The former Indian opener reckons the Gujarat-based franchise is overstaffed with top-order batters, elaborating:
"They have got Sophia Dunkley, Beth Mooney, Dottin bats at the top. So they have got a lot of top-order depth and unfortunately, I just feel like someone has to jump in into the middle order."
What a day! Building the first-ever squad of @GujaratGiants was a surreal experience. The #WPLAuction was a such a rollercoaster ride, you have to think and take decisions swiftly. In the end, satisfied with the squad we have picked. Looking forward to a cracking season. https://t.co/56KjRehzfw
Apart from Sophia Dunkley, Beth Mooney and Deandra Dottin, the Giants also have Sabbineni Meghana as an opener among their Indian recruits.
"That's where they might lack a bit of experience" - Abhinav Mukund on Gujarat Giants' middle-order concern
Abhinav Mukund feels the Gujarat Giants' inexperienced middle order might prove to be their stumbling block, reasoning:
"I realize that it is very different to the men's game, where you have to pick your middle order with a lot of all-rounders, and I feel that's where they might lack a bit of experience. There is a little bit of inexperience there in terms of just having domestic Indian players in the squad in the middle."
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the franchise might be overdependent on the likes of Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland, observing:
"They have got some exciting young girls who are part of this team, that's what I like about them, but I feel it's got to be either Ash Gardner, Beth Mooney, or someone like a Sutherland to win them games. The other players are more role players rather than superstars."
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Mukund concluded by giving a 6.5 out of 10 rating to the Giants. He reiterated that he is not particularly chuffed about their likely overreliance on a few players.