Gujarat Titans faced a challenging Indian Premier League season in the post-Hardik Pandya era, managing only 12 points from 14 games, with their last two matches washed out due to rain. Hardik Pandya, who had led them to the championship in 2022, departed to join his former team, Mumbai Indians. This left a significant void in the team’s leadership and overall dynamic. Shubman Gill was entrusted with the captaincy, a considerable responsibility for the young cricketer, especially in a season marked by the absence of star pacer Mohammed Shami due to injury.

The team’s struggles were compounded by other issues. Rashid Khan, a key player for GT, was returning from an injury and was not at his best for a significant part of the tournament. His usual dominance with the ball was visibly lacking, which affected the team’s overall bowling performance. Additionally, GT’s middle-order batting appeared weak and inconsistent, failing to provide the necessary stability and firepower in crucial moments. Their fielding efforts also left much to be desired, often falling short of the high standards required in a competitive league like the IPL.

With their season now concluded, it’s time to reflect on what went wrong for Gujarat Titans. The absence of experienced players like Hardik and Shami left a leadership and performance vacuum that the team struggled to fill. Injuries to key players further hampered their campaign, while the middle-order batting woes and subpar fielding added to their troubles. As GT looks ahead, addressing these issues will be crucial for a stronger comeback in future seasons.

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The Hardik Pandya void

Filling the void left by their former title-winning skipper Hardik Pandya was always going to be a monumental task for the Gujarat Titans. Hardik was not only an inspirational leader but also a match-winner whose presence instilled confidence in his teammates. His departure left a significant gap, both in leadership and performance, that the team struggled to fill. The players’ strong faith in Hardik made it even more challenging to move on without him, as his contributions on and off the field were irreplaceable.

In Hardik’s absence, the responsibility of captaincy fell on Shubman Gill. While Gill is a talented player, his tenure as skipper was a mixed bag. He faced the daunting task of stepping into Hardik’s shoes, which proved difficult given Hardik’s unique influence and match-winning abilities. The Titans struggled to find a player of Hardik’s calibre to consistently win matches, which significantly impacted their performance throughout the season.

Rashid Khan, David Miller not up to the best

The lack of balance in the Gujarat Titans setup was not solely due to Hardik Pandya’s exit. Key players’ form and fitness issues exacerbated their challenges. Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, coming off a back injury, struggled to regain his usual effectiveness. One of his most forgettable spells came against RCB, where he endured figures of 0/51. Overall, Rashid managed to take only 10 wickets in 12 matches, marking his lowest-ever wickets tally in the IPL.

Similarly, David Miller’s contribution was limited this season. He played just nine matches and scored 210 runs, with his highest score being 55 against DC. Miller’s reduced role and lack of impactful performances further highlighted the imbalance in the team. These issues, combined with the absence of their former inspirational skipper, left the Titans struggling to find their footing throughout the season.