Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Hardik Pandya is set for a potential return to Mumbai Indians ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction. According to ESPNcricinfo, Pandya has been traded to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal.
With Hardik Pandya set for departure, Gujarat Titans will begin hunt for a new captain. Indian opener Shubman Gill and New Zealand’s veteran skipper Kane Williamson are likely to be in contention for the leadership role for the 2024 season.
Young blood or seasoned captain?
Hardik Pandya had a dream stint with GT as skipper as he steered the team to consecutive IPL finals, including clinching the trophy in their inaugural season. The franchise will be looking to replicate the same success in the coming IPL editions but who will be the better pick as Hardik’s successor?
India’s star opener Shubman Gill is the first name that pops up as potential leader for Gujarat Titans. The young sensation has been consistent player for the franchise in first two seasons.
Gill can be a great captain prospect especially when viewed through a future-oriented lens.
Meanwhile, veteran cricketer and seasoned captain Kane Williamson is another name that will be discussed by the Gujarat franchise while deciding the skipper.
Williamson is a proven leader and a world-class batsman. The veteran batter has been one of the most successful captains in international cricket, leading New Zealand to the finals of the 2019 World Cup and the 2021 World Test Championship. He has also been a successful captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading them to the playoffs in 2018 and 2020.
He is calm, composed, and tactically astute, and could bring stability and maturity to the Titans. However, Williamson’s fitness could be a big issue. The 33-year-old sustained a serious knee injury in his first match for Gujarat Titans last year.
With some major international series looming next year, it will be interesting to see if Williamson will make himself available for IPL 2024.
Apart from Williamson and Gill, Gujarat Titans have few other options as well. Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, who is also the vice-captain of the franchise, could be promoted to leadership role for IPL 2024. Rashid led the Gujarat side against the Chennai Super Kings last season after Pandya got ruled out due to an injury.
The other option for the Gujarat Titans could be to pick a new skipper from IPL 2024 auction. The franchise is reportedly set to receive 15 crore from Mumbai Indians for Hardik Pandya and can use the big bucks to acquire a prominent player capable of leading the team in the upcoming edition.
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