Omarzai To Fill Hardik Pandya Void In Shubman Gill's GT Best Playing XI For IPL 2024
Gill will lead GT from IPL 2024 (x.com)
Gujarat Titans went at the IPL 2024 auction with the biggest purse of INR 38.15 crore. The departure of Hardik Pandya left them with a bid void to fill. They ended up buying Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai for just INR 50 lakh.
Omarzai’s all-round exploits impressed one and all in the 2023 World Cup. He performed admirably in the marquee tournament but whether he could replicate similar performances in IPL remains to be seen. Despite his addition, GT will, definitely, miss Hardik in the upcoming edition.
To bolster that middle-order, they invested in Shahrukh Khan, who was bought for a prize of 7.4 crores. He will don the role of the finisher in the team. Besides, the franchise have managed to acquire the services of Umesh Yadav and Karthik Tyagi, which should strengthen their fast bowling department.
Their most expensive buy at the auction was Spencer Johnson, picked for a hefty sum of INR 10 crore. He is an uncapped Australian pacer, who has performed well in the Big Bash League. GT has a good number of Indian fast bowlers in their team and Spencer might not play in most of the games in the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, we have compiled out best possible XI of Gujarat Titans for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
Top order: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha and Sai Sudharshan
Gill and Saha led the run-charts for Gujarat Titans last season. The former plays the biggest role in taking the team to the final of the IPL 2023. In 17 matches, Shubman Gill amassed 890 runs at a strike rate of 157.80. On the other hand, W Saha managed to score 371 runs at a strike rate of close to 130. The duo should be persisted to open the innings in the upcoming season.
Life has been going in upwards direction for Sai Sudharshan, who, recently, made his ODI debut for India. He has scored two back to back half-centuries for India and should look to make the most of the opportunities for GT in the next season.
Middle-order: Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahul Tewatia
Vijay Shankar played 14 matches last season and managed to score 301 runs at a brilliant strike rate of 160. His numbers with the bat and the strike rate he possessed should keep him ahead of other Indian batters to seal his place at number four position in the playing XI.
David Miller will give them the much-needed solidity and the one who will accompany him would be the new recruit in Omarzai. It will be interesting to see how he fares with the bat.
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, M Shami, Joshua Little
Umesh Yadav failed to make a mark last season, however, he could be backed to pick early wickets with the new ball. But, Ireland's Joshua Little could be picked over the Vidarbha Express. He will share the fast bowling duties with M Shami and Mohit Sharma.
Shami has had a wonderful World Cup 2023 where he ended up picking the most wickets. With the T20 World Cup coming right after the IPL 2024, Shami will be having the extra motivation to do well. In the spin department, Rashid Khan will continue to be the mainstay.
Gujarat Titans Best Playing XI For IPL 2024
Shubman Gill (c)
Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
Sai Sudharshan
Vijay Shankar
David Miller ✈️
Azmatullah Omarzai ✈️
Rahul Tewatia
Rashid Khan ✈️
Mohit Sharma
Mohammed Shami
Joshua Little/ Spencer Johnson ✈️
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