There are many x-factors in Gujarat Titans, keeping them at the top of the charts in TATA IPL 2023. Hardik Pandya-led Titans, also known by the fans as GT, have so far won 6 matches and lost just 2 matches. This gives them a total of 12 points with a net run rate of +0.638. Also, it takes them a step closer to qualifying for the Top 4 stage, from where they may make it to the Finals of the tournament.
IPL 2023 has attracted the overall attention of bettors and cricket enthusiasts. They are keeping a close eye on the top cricket betting sites to get all the new and updated information to make the best predictions.
A pinch of flashback: GT is defending the title in this edition. Pandya was successfully able to lead a young team to victory in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League.
GT credits its success in TATA IPL 2023 to the entire unit. It seems obvious to fans because the team has indeed played well against big names like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. For the purpose of this article, we take a dig at its different departments to understand what makes GT a team to look out for in this year’s edition of the TATA Indian Premier League.
The Bowling Unit
Ashish Nehra is heading the coaching department for GT in TATA IPL 2023. This should normally be enough to shed some light on how effective one can expect the bowling unit to be. Nehra is credited with bringing success to the Indian Cricket Team on several occasions. This time, it is GT to experience the charm.
Rashid Khan is the best foreign player one could have acquired. It turned out to be GT somehow managing to get their hands on the champion. The 24-year-old player has a huge fan following across the globe, and for all the right reasons, one might say.
The previous match, for example, showcases why having Rashid on the team is an asset for GT. The side defended a short target of 135 against the calm LSG. Khan picked up a single wicket, but his economy on the tough pitch was way below 9, at 8.25, to be specific. Mohit Sharma, Shami, and Pandya, the skipper himself, have perfectly complemented his efforts with near-perfect lengths and swings.
The Batting Unit
Gary Kirsten takes every Indian back to the time when India won the ICC ODI World Cup in 2011. And Dhoni finishes off in style, echoes in everyone’s ears. The former South African cricketer is back in India, but this time to lead GT’s batters into scoring some big runs.
Shubham Gill, teased as the Prince of Cricket and the successor of Virat Kohli, has emerged as a one-man army for Titans. Gary, along with fans, tunes in to watch his straight drives. Gill has single-handedly made the opening look easy for every batter. Wriddhiman Saha remains on the edge every time they take a single. Nonetheless, he brings a much-needed balance to the aggressive stance of Gill for the top 2 batters.
Not mentioning the skipper, Pandya, would be unfair. The all-rounder knows all the departments, but he has been pretty average with the bat and the ball. Vijay Shankar can take the play forward, and Rashid can hit the finishing shots in death overs. That summarizes the batting unit of GT with unintentionally not being able to forget the contributions of other batters.
The Fielding Unit
Pandya, who is known to be a hardcore athlete when it comes to fielding, there is no doubt that GT is doing well with its fielders in every match. Two strong limitations that come their way are when the bowling unit comes out stronger, picking wickers with LBW or direct wicket, and the opponent going for the big shots without anyone’s concern, literally!
Overall, the fielders have been active in running out a player or picking a catch. They have been much better with their attempts to stop the grounded boundaries. Again, the low-scoring match against LSG is a perfect example here.
Captaincy
Rohit Sharma has his own legacy of captaincy. Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, often brings out the best of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. The statement is important because Pandya has played under the captaincy of Rohit in the IPL.
There has been little to no influence on Pandya, allowing him to explore a different way of leading the team. Pandya displays better bowling language, has a connection with batters, and makes his fielders run to stop every run. The combination is scary for the opponent, even when it leads in international matches.
Opponents
GT has played 8 matches, covering all the teams in the tournament. It has lost only KKR and RR at the time of defending a total of 204 and 177, respectively. This still cannot be considered enough to conclude that GT is bad at defending the total. Matches played against LSG on April 22, 2023, and against MI on April 25, 2023, have a totally different story to tell.
Bowlers take on the batters individually, fulfilling their role of sending them back to the pavilion. Batters majorly look to set up a big score or chase as early as possible. This strategy has done well for them, and a positive NRR makes it more evident.
Conclusion
Gujarat Titans will next face Delhi Capitals on May 02, 2023, followed by a chance to redeem the previous loss against Rajasthan Royals on May 05, 2023. One can assume Shubham Gill and Rashid Khan to be at their best during the time when they are inching closer to the Semi-Finals. Nehra and Kirsten have their eyes on players who need more practice. Pandya has been brilliant, and there is nothing stopping him from demonstrating his leadership skills in TATA IPL 2023.
