IPL 2023: The Gujarat Titans surprised everyone when they went on to win the Indian Premier League title in their maiden season. Hardik Pandya led GT to become only the second team to win the IPL title in their maiden season. The team was undefeated for most of the tournament. They were equally good at batting and bowling as well.
And now they will enter the IPL 2023 to defend their title against the other nine IPL franchises. Thus, they need to pick the right combination. And after the auction, this team has some new superstars. However, GT is a really good bowling side with Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, and other superstars. So let’s check out the best bowling combination for GT for the coming season.
Best Bowling options for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023
The Gujarat Titans have some big names in the bowling department as compared to their batting. It makes them a strong unit because it is always the bowlers who win the matches.
5. Hardik Pandya
Among other good bowling options, Hardik Pandya making this list might be a surprise for many, but his performance proved that he was better than specialist bowlers in the last season. His best spell came in the final against RR, when he registered 3/17 and won the game for his team. Hardik was brilliant with the ball and bowled well with the new ball as well. He bowled only 30 overs in 10 innnings and took 8 wickets at a good economy rate of 7.28..
4. Shivam Mavi
The 24-year-old uncapped Indian pacer Shivam Mavi created a bidding war in the IPL 2023. Eventually, it was GT that acquired him for a price of INR 6 crore. He was part of the KKR setup since 2018, but now he will play for the defending champions. Mavi is a young exciting pacer who can bowl at a good pace; that was the reason GT invested a good amount in him. He will be the one to look out for in the coming IPL season.
3. Joshua Little or Alzarri Joseph
With only four options for overseas, it is very hard to choose among the best. Thus, we might look at either Joshua Little or Alzarri Joseph in the coming season. Alzarri was part of the GT lineup and played nine games for them. Although he picked only seven wickets, he was very tight in the middle. Then, GT also picked the Irish Joshua Little for INR 4.4 crore, making him the first Irish player to feature in the IPL. He is a talented bowler with international experience who could be the first choice overseas pacer.
2. Mohammed Shami
Having an experienced Indian pacer is a luxury for any IPL team. That’s what Mohammed Shami provides to GT. He was a key member of the team who provided early breakthroughs throughout the season. Shami was the highest wicket-taker for the franchise and took 20 wickets in 16 games at an economy rate of 8. GT will look to him to replicate his performance so that they can defend their title.
1. Rashid Khan
Gujarat Titans made a smart move by picking the best players in each skill set. And who can match the skillset Rashid Khan brings to the table? His presence is enough for the opposition, and he is the most consistent player across the format for any team he plays for. Even in the last season, he was the second highest wicket-taker for his team. Rashid took 19 wickets for the season at a brilliant economy rate of 6.60. If the franchise is to defend its title, he will be one of the key players.
GT Squad for IPL 2023
Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, David Miller, Kane Williamson, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade (wk), Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal, Odean Smith, Abhinav Manohar, Alzarri Joseph, Sai Sudharsan, Pradeep Sangwan, Joshua Little, Darshan Nalkande, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Jayant Yadav, R Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Urvil Patel, Mohit Sharma.