Gujarat Titans Preparing for a New IPL Era-Looking to Regain Lost Glory

The Gujarat Titans (GT) are entering a new Indian Premier League (IPL) cycle with renewed vigor. Having made their debut in the tournament in a stunning manner, when they captivated the IPL with their show in 2022 and 2023, the 2024 season was a challenging test. A huge overhaul of the team, the loss of their captain Hardik Pandya to the Mumbai Indians and the injury-triggered absence of Mohammed Shami, left the Titans finding it hard to keep up with their dominant form of old. The franchise is looking forward now, though, and taking calculated steps to rebuild and reclaim top spot.

A Look Back-Gujarat Titans' IPL Journey So Far

Even after their fall in 2024, GT had a stellar three-year stint. The team collected 28 victories from 45 games, leading the league table once in 2022 and again in 2023. Their swift rise in the IPL tables demonstrated their capability to construct a well-balanced team, fueled by strategic thinking and smart player pick-ups.

But losing star players affected their performance in the 2024 season, so it was an forgettable one. But retaining a solid base of retained players and astute buys in the auction, the Titans are hoping to get their winning ways back in the fresh IPL cycle.

Strategic Retentions and Auction Buys

GT's initial big step in the reconstruction phase was making Shubman Gill their captain. The young star batter is keen on proving himself as a leader as much as a T20 batsman. To ensure team stability, the franchise held on to some of its backbone players, including Afghanistan's spin magician Rashid Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan.

The Titans went all out in the mega auction, signing high-profile signings to bolster both the batting and bowling units. Their biggest buys were:

Jos Buttler (INR 15.75 crore) – The English star will provide firepower at the top and complement Gill's batting. 

Kagiso Rabada (INR 10.75 crore) – A top-class fast bowler who will provide pace, accuracy, and experience.

Mohammed Siraj (INR 12.25 crore) – A fiery Indian pacer who will strengthen their seam attack.

Sherfane Rutherford (INR 2.60 crore) – A big-hitting West Indian with a finishing touch.

Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Gerald Coetzee, and Sai Kishore – They bring depth, flexibility, and balance to the team as a whole.

Ishant Sharma – An experienced pacer who brings leadership and maturity to the young bowling lineup

Best XI of the New Season

With their balanced team at their disposal, GT's best playing XI might be:

Shubman Gill (c)

Jos Buttler (wk)

Sai Sudharsan

Glenn Phillips

Shahrukh Khan

Washington Sundar

Rahul Tewatia

Rashid Khan

Kagiso Rabada

Prasidh Krishna

Mohammed Siraj

A potential exchange between Mahipal Lomror and R Sai Kishore provides in-match flexibility.

Injury Concerns and Player Availability

The Titans have a decently fit team but are still suffering from some injury issues. South African medium pacer Gerald Coetzee has been struggling with injuries in the last few months. Having suffered a hamstring injury during the SA20 league, he was included as a cover for Anrich Nortje for the Champions Trophy, before again being ruled out due to a groin strain. Hence, he might miss the first few matches of the IPL 2025 season.

Key Players to Watch

Shubman Gill – A Captain with a Point to Prove

Gill has been touted as India's next big batting sensation. But his exclusion from India's T20 team has been questioned. As GT captain, he will be keen to prove his capability of leading from the front and set himself up as a world-class T20 player.

Shahrukh Khan – Poised for a Breakout Season?

Known for his big-hitting in domestic cricket, Shahrukh Khan has not yet been an IPL success story in harnessing his potential on a regular basis. The coming season offers an ideal chance for him to establish himself as a finisher and establish himself as a firm member of the team. 

Season Schedule and Main Matches

GT will launch their 2025 season with two home games against:

Punjab Kings (March 25)

Mumbai Indians (March 29)

After this, they will have a tough four-game stretch, three of which are away games. But a lighter April 12-April 26 schedule in which they play just three games will give them an opportunity to catch their breath before entering into a challenging second half of the season.

GT's Home Ground Challenges

While Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has been home fortress for the Titans, there has been a trend in their losses. Of their seven home losses, five have been last-over thrillers, including:

Rinku Singh's last-ball heroics for KKR in 2023

The thriller of an IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings, when Ravindra Jadeja clinched the match on the last ball

This indicates that GT needs to improve in completing games with more strength, especially in closely fought matches.

The Road Ahead for Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans have managed to evolve from an inaugural season franchise to an IPL giant. Having suffered a stumble in 2024, their strategic roster shuffles and focus on holding onto a solid core have placed them in a bright spot for the next cycle. With Shubman Gill as captain, a balanced roster, and a hard-headed approach, GT is set to relaunch its dominance and pursue IPL championships once more.