Ahead of the IPL 2023, Gujarat Titans conducted player trials in their home stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium. A total of 52 players from across the country participated in the two-day trials on December 8 and 9.
The trials were conducted in preparation for the IPL 2023 auction, which will take place in Kochi on December 23. The Gujarat Titans’ head coach Ashish Nehra told the media on Friday that they are gearing up for the upcoming season and are looking forward to it.
The Director of Cricket for Gujarat Titans, Vikram Solanki, also spoke to journalists on Friday. The trials allowed them to see some promising players in their home ground in Ahmedabad, he added.
In the upcoming season of the cash-rich league, the franchise will use the trials to develop its strategy for the IPL 2023 auction. In an official release, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said 991 players (714 Indians and 277 overseas players) had registered for the IPL 2023 Player Auction. There are 185 capped players, 786 uncapped players, and 20 players from Associate Nations on the list.
Gujarat Titans eyeing a Fast bowler at IPL 2023 Auction
Coach Ashish Nehra of Gujarat Titans has said that the team will look to sign a fast bowler at the December 23 auction in Kochi. Nehra and Hardik Pandya led the Titans to victory in their inaugural season of the Indian Premier League.
“The nature of the sport is such that despite winning, we have released 3-4 players. Alterations (in the team) will be minimal. We have released two fast bowlers. So, we will be looking to incorporate two replacements,” said Ashish Nehra, head coach of Gujarat Titans, while interacting with reporters at the stadium on Friday.
Last month, Titans traded Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz and New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson to Kolkata Knight Riders.”As we haven’t released that many players, we don’t have too many requirements. Also, there are a few domestic spots left. It’s not a guarantee that you’ll get the player you want. The remaining nine teams are listed below. When that player comes up for auction, that is also important.”
The Gujarat team won the league in its first season. The team defeated Rajasthan for the third time in IPL 2022 after losing the toss. Going into the tournament, Gujarat exceeded all expectations.
Gujarat Titans Title-Winning IPL 2022 Season
Being continually scrutinized by the public while maintaining your strength is difficult. It can be as challenging to recover from a persistent ailment, exhibit strong play, and ultimately win a game. To put it simply it is tough being Hardik Pandya.
Hardik entered the Indian Premier League as the Gujarat Titans’ captain after going nearly five months without playing any cricket. Before a few weeks ago, he had never even bowled.
But on Sunday, in front of 1,04,859 spectators at the Narendra Modi International Stadium. The Titans skipper demonstrated why he is still regarded as one of the best all-rounders in world cricket.
Despite the strain of competing in the final game, Hardik initially took three wickets (three for 17). That keeps Rajasthan Royals to 130 for 9 before contributing with a 30-ball 34. His knock helped Titans reach the target with 11 balls remaining.
Titans trounced the Royals by seven wickets to win their first-ever IPL title, and that too on their debut, with the skipper leading from the front!
Gujarat Titans IPL 2023 squad
Hardik Pandya, the captain of the champion Gujarat Titans who scored 487 runs and took 8 wickets the season before, won’t dare to leave the team. In addition to Hardik Pandya, the Gujarat Titans will continue to field Shubman Gill. The youngster Gill scored 483 runs in 16 matches last season. The list of officially retained players for IPL 2023 includes:
- Hardik Pandya (Captain),
- Shubman Gill,
- David Miller
- Abhinav Manohar
- Sai Sudharsan
- Wriddhiman Saha
- Matthew Wade
- Rashid Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Vijay Shankar
- Mohammed Shami
- Alzarri Joseph
- Yash Dayal
- Pradeep Sangwan
- Darshan Nalkande
- Jayant Yadav
- R Sai Kishore
- Noor Ahmad.
On the other hand, after its retention, Hardik Pandya’s team will still have 19.75 crores in their bank account. Additionally, it can fill up to three international positions.
The teams have an additional Rs 5 crore to spend in the upcoming auction. Meanwhile, the auction will be held in Kochi on December 23. It helps in bringing the total purse tally to Rs 95 crore. This is in addition to the remaining funds from the last auction and the value of the players each side has released.
