Hardik Pandya to lead, Kane Williamson to start: Gujarat Titans' strongest XI for IPL 2023
Gujarat Titans will look to defend the title in 2022 |Courtesy-BCCI/IPL
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Gujarat Titans won the title in their debut season
- GT signed Kane WIlliamson ahead of IPL 2023
- Shivam Mavi, Joshua Little, and KS Bharat also join the side
The Hardik Pandya-led outfit has retained their core for the tournament, which means they have a solid core at their disposal and a stable starting XI at their hands. However, they did release Afghanistan opener Rahmunullah Gurbaz and New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson. Ferguson's exit was a surprise as he was a regular in the starting XI. They also let go of Jason Roy, who decided not to make the trip to India last year after GT purchased him in the auction.
GT made a high-profile signing by purchasing New Zealand white-ball captain Kane Williamson in the auction. Williamson led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) last year but was released by the franchise ahead of the 2023 season. He is expected to open with Shubman Gill, which will mean Matthew Wade loses his place.Wriddhiman Sahah became a regular in the starting XI in the second half of last season, but that might not be the case this season with the arrival of KS Bharat. While it will be a tough call, Bharat is younger and could get the nod.
Alzarri Joseph is expected to become the team's number-one overseas pacer with Ferguson no longer in the ranks, but Irish pacer Joshua Little is expected to give him stiff competition. GT also purchased Indian quick , who will compete with Yash Dayal for a place in the line-up. Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, KS Bharat, , David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Shivam Mavi, R Sai Kishore, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph
