5 players Gujarat Titans can target in IPL 2024 auction

Gujarat Titans (GT) has been one of the most formidable sides since its inclusion in the year 2022. They became the champions in their inaugural edition. They qualified for the final in the next season and lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a thrilling match that went on for almost three days due to rain. The team has shown some great brand of cricket in the toughest franchise league in the world. During the player trading window, they let go of their skipper Hardik Pandya to the franchise where he started his IPL career, Mumbai Indians (MI).   

The franchise has announced Shubman Gill as their new captain. Rashid Khan and Kane Williamson were in contention for leading the side but they have made a shocking decision to give the star India opener the captaincy. The team is well re-building after they release their captain as they need to get a player in the middle-order who can be a valuable all-rounder and can bat up the order as well.  

The mini-auction that is scheduled to take place on December 19 in Dubai, is the first time that the auction will be held outside India. They have the most amount remaining in their purse with 38.15 crore INR. In the article, we will be looking at the players that GT can target in the IPL mini-auction. 

Here are 5 players GT can target in the IPL auction

5. Manish Pandey 

Manish Pandey has been released by DC ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. The experienced middle-order batter can anchor the innings. His IPL record shows his ability to form good partnerships and lead the team through difficult circumstances. The batter has been in and out of the franchise team wherever he has played in the last few years. But his addition in the middle-order will strengthen the side.   

4. Azmatullah Omarzai 

Azmatullah Omarzai was an emerging star in the ODI World Cup 2023. At the highest level, the outstanding all-rounder proved his ability in various parts of the game. Omarzai proved his ability to finish games and anchor innings as a batter. He was a great bowler for the Afghans who could swing the ball into left-handed bowlers. Omarzai would be a perfect replacement for Hardik Pandya. He could be a nice option for the side as he can ball with the new ball as well. This would reduce their problem of the middle order as well. 

3. Lockie Ferguson 

Lockie Ferguson who was with GT for one year was traded to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). But since they have released the Kiwi pacer GT has only one overseas pacer on their side Joshua Little they would need a pacer who can bowl in the middle overs and at a speed of more than 140km/hr. Ferguson would be one obvious choice as he might be cheaper to get in the auction with other teams targetting marquee pacers. 

2. Umesh Yadav 

Umesh Yadav has played more than 100 games in the IPL and has a lot of experience in his bag. He had a brilliant IPL 2022 with the ball picking up wickets for KKR early on in the innings and performed like a well-oiled machine in that edition. He has been released by the franchise and GT can pick him because he would be a good option for an Indian pacer as they do not have any good Indian pacer except for Mohammed Shami, he can play alongside the speedstar as well and both the bowlers have the experience of bowling with the new ball. 

1. Daryl Mitchell 

Daryl Mitchell is the number 1 contender to act as an all-rounder for GT in the upcoming season. He has played some exceptional cricket in the last few years. For that, he was picked by Rajasthan Royals (RR) but he was not used wisely by them. The Kiwi batter plays spin well and can bat anywhere in the middle order. The right-handed batter can be used as a sixth bowler for the franchise as well. GT has the budget to acquire him as many other teams would be targeting the batting all-rounder in the auction and he might get big money as well.