Rabada And Siraj In, Rashid Khan To Lead Attack; GT's Best Bowling Combination For IPL 2025

Rashid Khan, Siraj and Kagiso Rabada [Source: @MoinKhan7765/X.com]

The Champions Trophy is done and dusted, and the focus has now shifted towards the upcoming IPL as teams will fight it out for the coveted title. Gujarat Titans, who won in their debut season had a disappointing 2024 season where they failed to qualify for playoffs. 

However, their bold strategy in the IPL 2025 mega auction has made them one of the most formidable bowling units. The team has invested heavily in their bowling department creating remarkable depth across the pace and spin departments. Hence, let’s decode GT's best bowling combination that could dominate the IPL 2025 season.

Rabada and Siraj's New Ball Partnership

GT has assembled arguably the most lethal new ball attack in the tournament with Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj leading the charge. Both pacers were acquired for significant sums highlighting the franchise's emphasis on quality fast bowling.

Rabada brings international experience and a proven track record in the IPL, while Siraj's ability to swing the new ball makes him a threat in the powerplay. 

Their contrasting styles, Rabada's pace and bounce versus Siraj's swing and seam, provide GT with versatility against different types of openers. With these two handling the new ball duties, GT has ensured they have the firepower to make early inroads into the opposition batting order.

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Rashid Khan To Take Control In The Middle Over

Retained for a whopping 18 crore, Rashid Khan remains the centrepiece of GT's bowling strategy. The Afghan leg-spinner's ability to control the middle overs while consistently picking wickets makes him one of the most valuable T20 bowlers in the world.

Table - Rashid Khan's IPL stats

What makes Rashid particularly dangerous is his economy rate of under 7 runs per over, which puts immense pressure on batters to score against other bowlers. 

Khan's partnership with Washington Sundar gives GT two contrasting spin options, Rashid's quick leg-spin complemented by Sundar's tight off-spin.

Table - Rashid Khan's Bowling stats in middle overs in IPL

With Sai Kishore providing a left-arm spin option, GT has all bases covered in the spin department. This trio could dominate the middle overs, particularly on pitches that offer assistance to spinners.

Death Bowling Stars Prasidh and Coetzee

For the crucial deathovers, GT has invested in specialists who can execute yorkers and variations under pressure. Prasidh Krishna has developed into an excellent death bowler with his height providing an extra dimension. 

Table - Stats of Prasidh Krishna and Gerald Coetzee in death overs in IPL

Gerald Coetzee represents one of the auction's best value buys, bringing raw pace and yorker precision at a fraction of what other international pacers commanded. With Rabada also capable of returning for the death overs, GT possesses multiple options to restrict scoring in the final phase of innings.

GT's Best Bowling Combination

Based on the above analysis, GT's ideal bowling combination would be:

• Kagiso Rabada (Powerplay + Death)
• Mohammed Siraj (Powerplay + Middle)
• Rashid Khan (Middle Overs)
• Washington Sundar (Middle Overs)
• Prasidh Krishna (Middle + Death)

This five-bowler attack provides excellent balance across all phases of the game. For matches where the pitch might offer more turn, Sai Kishore could replace one of the pacers, while Gerald Coetzee provides an explosive pace option when conditions favour fast bowling.

With all-rounders like Rahul Tewatia capable of chipping in with a couple of overs, GT has created a bowling unit with remarkable depth, variety, and quality.  Hence, if the bowlers can deliver on their potential, Gujarat Titans' might well find themselves competing for their second IPL title in 2025.

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