GT IPL 2025 Squad Analysis: Can Shubman Gill Power A Team With Multiple Holes To Title Win?

Shubman Gill for GT in IPL 2024 [Source: @IPL/x.com]

The Indian Premier League has been bossed mainly by two teams - the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumba Indians. It is difficult to enter a space where you are new and defeat the master of the trades.

It was nearly impossible, but it is exactly what the Gujarat Titans under the leadership of Hardik Pandya did in IPL 2022. They won their maiden IPL title in their debut season and stunned the followers of the league. They were on their way to do the unbelievable in two conseuctive years, but Ravindra Jadeja stopped that from happening in IPL 2023.

However, a win in their debut season and runners in IPL 2024 speaks how well the team function in the league. As we build up for IPL 2025, let us look at the GT squad for the season and delve into a deep analysis of the same.

GT IPL 2025 Full Squad

Batters: Shubman Gill, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Kumar Kushagra, Sherfane Rutherford, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan
All-rounders: Karim Janat, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sandhu, Manav Suthar, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar
Bowlers: Arshda Khan, Gerald Coetzee, Gurnoor Brar, Kulwant Khejroliya, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Sai Kishore, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav

GT phase performance chart [Source: OneCricket]

Batting Impact Index (BII): A composite metric measuring batting effectiveness by combining strike rate (40%), average (35%), balls per boundary (15%), and strike rotation (10%), normalized to a 0-100 scale.

Bowling Effectiveness Index (BEI): A comprehensive bowling metric that weights economy rate (40%), balls per wicket (35%), balls per boundary (15%), and dot ball percentage (10%), normalized to a 0-100 scale.

Player Value Index (PVI): An overall player rating that combines BII and BEI according to a player's batting and bowling contributions, weighted by the proportion of balls faced versus balls bowled.

For relevancy datas of IPL 2023 and 2024 has been considered.

Strengths Of GT For IPL 2025

1. Flexible Middle-Overs Bowling Attack

Inference: GT possesses arguably the IPL's most formidable middle-overs bowling contingent, with wrist spinner,  Rashid Khan leading the attack, they can strangle opposition scoring through the crucial middle phase. This is complemented by Sai Kishore's left-arm spin and a versatile pace attack featuring Ishant Sharma's experience and Rabada's penetrative ability.

2. Bowling Depth and Variety

GT's bowling arsenal features an exceptional mix of pace and spin options, with specialists for each phase:

• Powerplay Specialists: Mohammed Siraj (63.16), Ishant Sharma (64.06), Sai Kishore (64.48)
• Middle Overs Specialists: Sai Kishore (75.72), Ishant Sharma (71.26), Rashid Khan (69.05)
• Death Specialists: Gerald Coetzee (66.90), Mohammed Siraj (65.88), Rashid Khan (65.35)

Inference: This phase-specific excellence and bowling variety enables GT to apply constant pressure throughout the innings, with minimal weak periods to exploit for the opposition.

Jos Buttler will be seen in GT colours in IPL 2025 [Source: @real_tigerz/x.com]

Weaknesses Of GT For IPL 2025

1. Lack Of Top Order Batters Who Can Take Advatnage Of Powerplay

Inference: GT lacks explosive powerplay batting options, with their top three mostly adopting a cautious approach in the first six overs. This could result in below-par powerplay scores, particularly when batting first.

2. Death Batting Limitations

GT's batting lineup features relatively few specialist finishers, creating potential challenges in accelerating during the final phase of innings, particularly when chasing steep targets. They have some options like Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia. However, Shahrukh Khan and Tewatia have shown inconsistency over the years and Glenn Phillips is still untested in IPL. 

Opportunities And Threats For GT In IPL 2025

1. Team Composition Balance

Inference: The composition shows that Gujarat Titans have concentrated more on acquiring a elite bowling attack. In order to secure an all-purpose bowling attack, they have sacrificed on their batting strength.

2. Phase-Wise Vulnerability Assessment

Inference: Middle overs bowling represents GT's greatest strength, while powerplay batting appears to be their most significant vulnerability. Teams that can restrict GT's scoring in powerplay overs may gain a significant advantage.

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GT's match up analysis [Source: OneCricket]

X-Factor Player: Sai Kishore

Sai Kishore for GT [Source: @BeingManas3/x.com]

• Middle-overs dominance - His exceptional 75.72 rating in middle overs makes him GT's highest-rated specialist, capable of stifling opposition during crucial building phases.

• Left-arm advantage - Provides a unique angle in a predominantly right-arm bowling attack, creating difficult match-ups against right-handed batsmen.
• Underrated potential - Despite flying under the radar compared to star players like Rashid Khan, his superior phase-specific skills make him the perfect "hidden weapon" who opponents may strategically underestimate.

GT Strategical selection of overseas players [Source: OneCricket]

Strategic Overseas Player Selection

The four overseas player limit necessitates strategic choices. GT's optimal configuration prioritizes:

• Rashid Khan - Elite all-round capabilities 
• Jos Buttler - Game Changing batting option 
• Kagiso Rabada - Premium pace bowler 
• Glenn Phillips - Middle phase adaptor 

This configuration maximizes bowling strength while providing explosive batting options to complement the Indian core.

Situation-Specific Playing XIs

When Batting First

Starting XI

Shubman Gill - Anchor, Captain
Jos Buttler ✈️ - Aggressive opener
Sai Sudharsan - Technical batter
Glenn Phillips ✈️ - Middle order adaptor
Shahrukh Khan - Finisher
Washington Sundar - Spin all-rounder
Rashid Khan ✈️ - All-rounder
Sai Kishore  - Spinner
Mohammad Siraj  - Pace spearhead
Kagiso Rabada ✈️  - Express pace
Ishant Sharma  - Across phase bowler

Impact Player Substitution (2nd Innings)

REMOVE: Sai Sudharasan (specialist batter)
ADD: Prasidh Krishna (powerplay specialist)

Strategic Logic: Maximize batting depth to post competitive totals with additional batting specialist, Shahrukh Khan. For defense, substitute with Prasidh Krishna to add to the bowling strength. 

When Bowling First

Starting XI

Shubman Gill  - Anchor, Captain
Jos Buttler ✈️ - Aggressive opener
Glenn Phillips ✈️ - Middle phase adaptor
Washington Sundar - Spin all-rounder
Shahrukh Khan - Finisher
Rashid Khan ✈️ - All-rounder
Sai Kishore - Spinner
Mohammad Siraj - Pace spearhead
Kagiso Rabada ✈️ - Express pace
Ishant Sharma - Across phase bowler
Prasidh Krishna - Powerplay specialist

Impact Player Substitution (2nd Innings)

REMOVE: Mohammad Siraj (powerplay specialist)
ADD: Sai Sudharsan (top order stabiliser)

Strategic Logic: Begin with bowling strength to restrict targets, then substitute Prasidh with Sai Sudharsan's batting for the chase, maximising resources for each phase of the game.

Predictions For GT In IPL 2025

Title Prospects: GT enters IPL 2025 with fundamental weaknesses that will likely prevent them from challenging for the title despite their bowling strength.

Playoff Projection: 4-5 wins, bottom-four finish in league stage.

X-Factor: The Rashid Khan-Sai Kishore bowling partnership may win them occasional matches, but won't be enough to overcome their batting limitations.

Vulnerability: Powerplay batting remains their fatal flaw — expect opponents to consistently exploit this phase with quality pace bowling, setting up early advantages GT cannot overcome.

Final Verdict: A bottom four finish. If they qualify for the play-offs it would be becasue of some tactical brilliance by their skipper, Shubman Gill, a brilliant one man show throughout thei tournament or some out of the box thinking from their management as a whole. 

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