Gujarat Titans became the third team to be eliminated from the race for the IPL 2024 knockouts. A team that has appeared in back to back IPL finals found themselves knocked out this season. The Titans are currently on the 8th place in the table with 11 points from 13 games.
Gujarat Titans managed to pick up just 5 wins in this campaign so far. With a game still pending, it won’t matter. GT got knocked out after the GT vs KKR clash got washed off yesterday owing to heavy rain in Ahmedabad. GT needed a win at all costs to remain in hunt for the top 4.
No Hardik Pandya
Since it’s inception, 3 years back, Hardik Pandya has been at the helm of the side. The ace all-rounder has been a vital cog in GT’s setup effectively leading the side. He helped his side clinch the trophy in their debut season and went on to become runners up to CSK last season.
But Hardik Pandya switched sides earlier this season, to re-join Mumbai Indians, this time as their skipper. Naturally, the hole left behind by Hardik was too difficult for the Titans to fill. Young Shubman Gill was promoted as the captain, but his inexperience was visible.
The ‘Hardik Pandya’ factor did have it’s toll in the Gujarat Titans team, which saw them crash out of the the IPL 2024 knockouts without putting up a proper fight.
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Inexperience of Shubman Gill as skipper
With no Hardik Pandya, GT decided to bank on the future. Despite having the likes of Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan in the team, they decided to promote Shubman Gill as the skipper. GT wanted to bank on the 24-year old ace opener to effectively lead the side.
But things didn’t go as per the plans. Though Shubman Gill was a decent skipper, he lacked the X-factor that separates winners from the common folk. Gradually with the passage of time, Gill would go on to establish himself as an able captain to effectively lead his side.
Absence of Mohammed Shami
One of the major absences for Gujarat Titans was Mohammed Shami. The ace Indian pacer has been out of action since the conclusion of the ICC ODI World Cup. Shami suffered an ankle injury and then had to undergo the knife in London. As a result, he had to miss out on IPL 2024.
Now this was a major miss for the Titans. It is had to replace a bowler of Shami’s calibre, especially the highest wicket-taker of ODI World Cup. He was also the Purple Cap winner for GT last season having scalped 28 wickets in 17 games. Be it bagging wickets with the new ball or in the death, one of the major reasons for GT’s poor performance was the absence of the ace pacer.
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