IPL 2024 Auction: Gujarat Titans' possible auction strategy, five players they can target, remaining purse and more

Gujarat Titans (GT) have impressed one and all in their first two seasons in the Indian Premier League (IPL), winning the league in 2022 and reaching the final in 2023. They, however, now face their biggest challenge with captain Hardik Pandya leaving the franchise for Mumbai Indians. Having a good auction under the guidance of coach Ashish Nehra can go a long way in addressing the concerns surrounding the franchise.

They released eight players ahead of the IPL auction besides Pandya joining MI. Here’s their current squad, remaining purse and available slots.

GT retained players: Abhinav Sadarangani, B. Sai Sudharsan, Darshan Nalkande, David Miller, Jayant Yadav, Joshua Little, Kane Williamson, Matthew Wade, Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, R. Sai Kishore, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Wriddhiman Saha

Traded out: Hardik Pandya

GT released players: Yash Dayal, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, Pradeep Sangwan, Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, Dasun Shanaka

Purse left: Rs 38.15 crore

Slots left: 8 (2 overseas players)

GT Auction Strategy

They will be looking to bring in an all-rounder who can make up for the loss of Hardik Pandya, but is there such a player available? Kane Williamson can be the captain but a solid Indian all-rounder is almost impossible to find. Apart from this, they released a lot of pacers in Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Shivam Mavi and Pradeep Sangwan. So overseas and Indian pacers are going to be a big target for them.

They may also target a solid middle-order batter to help them finish games now that Pandya is not there. With Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and R. Sai Kishore there, they probably don’t need a spinner.

Players GT Can Target

Pat Cummins

One of the best pacers in the world and a proven leader, Cummins will be a good fit for Gujarat who are in need of fast bowlers. GT also have a big purse to win the bidding war for the Aussie.

Daryl Mitchell

Daryl Mitchell has upped his game big time in the last two years. He is a reliable middle-order batter who can score quick runs and can also bowl a bit of medium pace if required.

Kartik Tyagi

After releasing a number of Indian pacers, GT could look to bring fresh blood and Tyagi could be a perfect fit as far as an uncapped pacer is concerned. He is touted to become a big bowler and once again, GT’s budget will be of great help.

Shahrukh Khan

The Chennai-born lower-order batter gives GT the option to have an Indian hard-hitting finisher in their lineup. Shahrukh scored at a strike rate of 166 last season and that will make him a hot property.

Gerald Coetzee

GT are in need of pacers and Gerald Coetzee could be a target for them. The 23-year-old took 20 wickets in the ODI World Cup and showed his quality. A bidding war is expected for the Proteas fast bowler.