From underdogs to front-runners - GT’s journey so far

When the IPL auctions were done and dusted, one thing was evident- Gujarat Titans had the weakest lineup - at least on paper. However, having been widely criticised for assembling a weak squad, GT surprisingly sit on top of the table and have no mood to stop at the moment.

At the time of the auction, it looked like everything was messed up by the GT think-tank, led by Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten. The batting looked bleak, the overall balance was missing from the squad, and cricket pundits believed that the Titans would have an underwhelming season.

However, one month into the tournament and the team from Gujarat has shocked everyone with their approach on the field. They have won six out of the possible seven games and are genuinely looking unstoppable at the moment.

So, what has really changed post the IPL auction? What are key changes being made by the GT side? Let us discuss the factors which make them so good.

Return of Hardik Pandya - The swashbuckling player

Everything has gone wrong for Hardik Pandya over the last two years. Once considered India's premium all-rounder, Pandya had lost his mojo, and his career was marred with back injuries. Moreover, there were doubts over his bowling fitness and captaincy skills heading into the Indian Premier League season 15. 

But Pandya answered all his critics in style and has been GT's go-to man in all the games. His captaincy skills have been on point, and he has been a cool and calm customer (Apart from that one incident against Mohammad Shami). 

Pandya has been the real 3-D player for his side and has contributed to all three departments of the game. He has completed his quota of four overs in four out of six matches and has spearheaded the pace attack alongside Mohammad Shami. But what's more impressive is the fact that the former MI player is consistently bowling at over 140 clicks (Which is a good sign for team India).

If we talk about his captaincy, Kung-fu Pandya has been spot-on with his tactical changes. His field placements have been top-notch, and he has rotated the bowlers really well. So for someone who has led only once in senior cricket previously, Pandya has done a tremendous job so far.

Not only with the ball, but Pandya has also led from the front with the bat in hand. Whenever the name Hardik Pandya pops up, we associate him with a finisher's role. However, things are different this time around. Captaincy has brought a sense of calmness, and he’s become more mature. Credit should be given to Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten for backing Pandya at number 4. So far, the GT skipper has amassed 295 runs at an impressive average of 73.75.

Not one, not two, but multiple match-winners in the side

Rajasthan Royals have Buttler, Chahal; and RCB has DK; guess what? Gujarat Titans have a squad full of match-winners. Yes, you can talk about Hardik Pandya and his exploits, but when you look at their team, everyone has contributed in one or the other way.

Every player knows their role, and they have stuck to it. You look at what transpired against Punjab Kings. An unlikely hero in Rahul Tewatia, stepped up and won the game for his side. Shubman Gill has been a revelation ever since his move to GT. Known for his elegance, Gill has shown a different side to his batting and has won two matches for his side on his own.

Who can forget Mohammad Shami's spell against fellow newcomers in the opening bout? The Indian speedster grabbed 3 for 25 and was the chief destroyer for GT. Lockie Ferguson against DC (4 for 28), and David Miller - showed his killer instincts against CSK and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

Despite Wade and Vijay Shankar in woeful form, everyone else has covered up for them and has made the Titans a force to reckon with. 

Varied bowling attack

This is where the Titans come to life. Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, and Hardik Pandya form a formidable quadruple. No other team (Barring SRH) has come close to what GT offers with the ball in hand. 

In 7 matches, the team from Gujarat have grabbed 17 wickets inside the power-play and has a power-play strike rate of nearly 15. Mohammed Shami has looked lethal with fresh pitches on offer and has regularly picked up wickets up front. GT has an economy rate of 7.33 inside the power-play, the second-best among the ten teams.

Moreover, they have been at their absolute best towards the fag end of the innings. The Titans have conceded at only 8.41 runs per over and have picked up wickets at regular intervals. This is despite the fact that Rashid Khan has looked like a pale shadow of himself. The Afghan leggie has scalped seven wickets in eight matches but has done well to restrict the run-flow in the middle overs.

Contrasting personalities in the back-room

On one corner, you have a calm and composed personality in Gary Kirsten. And on the other hand, you have a carefree, happy go lucky Ashish Nehra. Nehra, known for his funny side, has made sure that the table-toppers remain focused and stay determined to fight it out until the end. 

Nehra's attitude has been a key to a positive atmosphere in the GT dressing room. Pacer Mohammed Shami believes Nehra's approach is the key to their success. 

"So far, it has been very good; the atmosphere is great as well. When you come into a new franchise, an atmosphere has to be created from scratch. The players come from different backgrounds, so it is important to have a positive atmosphere. Ashish Nehra keeps things light-hearted, even during difficult situations," Shami said about Nehra.

Now, if we talk about Kirsten, the former South African batter and a World Cup-winning coach with India, he has been a pivotal member of the GT back-room staff. Just like you need a chilled out friend (Nehra), you also need someone who can guide you at every step (Kirsten). Kirsten has allowed his side to play freely, and as a result, their game has blossomed, and we can all see the effects on the field.

For now, we have just reached the halfway mark, but it is fair to say that GT has had a promising start to their IPL journey. Still, a long way to go through, but GT indeed has all the tools in their arsenal to clinch the title this season.