On Friday (December 23), the Gujarat Titans (GT) signed seven players at the IPL 2023 Auction.
The defending IPL winners made few roster changes. Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, David Miller, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Wriddhiman Saha, and Matthew Wade were retained.
Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were released during the trade window, surprising several supporters. However, GT signed some notable players at the IPL 2023 Auction.
This article ranks Gujarat Titans’ mini-auction signings.
#7 Mohit Sharma
At the IPL 2023 Auction, Gujarat Titans bought Mohit Sharma for 50 lakh. Sharma was a Titans net bowler in IPL 2022. In 2020 for the Delhi Capitals, he took 1/45 against the Punjab Kings.
Sharma took six wickets in eight games at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. If given an opportunity, it will be intriguing to see how he performs in the IPL.
#6 Urvil Patel
GT has numerous top-quality pacers, hence Mohit Sharma was ranked below Urvil Patel. Not so for wicket-keeping.
Gujarat needed a wicketkeeper, so they bought Urvil at the IPL 2023 auction. As long as Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade are healthy, his chances at GT may be limited.
#5 Shivam Mavi
Shivam Mavi had a dismal 2022 season with KKK. He responded by bagging 10 wickets in seven matches for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
GT was surprised to pay 6 crore for Mavi at the IPL 2023 Auction. The youthful pacer must prove his worth.
#4 Little Joshua
Gujarat Titans signed Ireland’s Josh Little for 4.4 crore. Multiple IPL teams were interested in the left-arm speedster due to his success in T20I cricket and T20 tournaments throughout the world.
Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal, Darshan Nalkande, Pradeep Sangwan, Alzarri Joseph, and Hardik Pandya lead GT’s fast-bowling attack. Little may not be in their starting XI, so 4.4 crore may look steep.
He’s a proven short-form performer who could offer the club something different.
#3 Odean Smith
Gujarat Titans finished innings nicely in IPL 2022. They’ve added Odean Smith to their finishing group. He can bowl four fast overs.
In IPL 2022, Smith battled for the Punjab Kings. At 50 lakh, he was one of the Titans’ finest auction signings.
#2 Kane Williamson GT bought Kane Williamson for 2 crore at the IPL 2023 Auction.
The Titans’ No. 3 hitting spot was a problem last season. Nobody could make that character their own.
This led them to target Williamson. The Kiwi is one of the world’s best top-order hitters and has had great success in the IPL.
If he lives up to his potential, GT’s decision to recruit him will be brilliant.
#1 KS Bharat
KS GT’s best auction investment was Bharat. Uncapped wicket-keeper batsman signed for 1.2 crore.
GT may employ Bharat as a No. 3 hitter and wicket-keeper. He was Royal Challengers Bangalore’s No. 3 match-winner in IPL 2021.
Bharat batted No. 3 for RCB and scored 179 runs at 44.75. Bharat is younger than wicket-keeper batsmen Matthew Wade and Wriddhiman Saha. GT can benefit if he gets going.
