Top 5 players who can become the next captain for Gujarat Titans

In a groundbreaking development ahead of the IPL Auction scheduled for December 19th, Mumbai Indians are on the cusp of sealing an all-cash deal to bring back the explosive all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. This trade involves Mumbai Indians disbursing a whopping INR 15 crore ($1.8 million approx.) as Hardik's salary, coupled with an undisclosed transfer fee to the Gujarat Titans. Notably, Hardik stands to pocket up to 50% of the transfer fee, potentially marking this as the most significant player trade in IPL history.

As the trade deadline of November 26 at 4 pm IST looms, both MI and GT have maintained a discreet silence, leaving the cricketing fraternity in suspense.

Should the trade materialize, it would signify a historic moment as Pandya would become the third captain to be traded in IPL history, following Ravichandran Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane in 2020.

The aftermath of this potential trade leaves the 2022 winners in a leadership conundrum, with no captain to steer their ship.

Top five players speculated to take up the captaincy mantle for the Gujarat Titans:

5. Dasun Shanaka: The Sri Lankan all-rounder is yet to make a mark in the IPL, but he has shown his leadership qualities in the international arena. He has captained Sri Lanka in 48 T20Is, winning 23 of them. Shanaka has also led them to historic series wins in Pakistan and India, with a young and inexperienced team. The all-rounder is a hard-hitting middle-order batsman, who can also bowl medium pace. He has played 3 games for the Titans, scoring 26 runs with a highest of 17. He has also taken one wicket. The Sri Lankan may not have impressive IPL numbers, but he has the experience and the confidence to lead a team in challenging situations. He can be a dark horse for the Blue Brigade's captaincy.

4. Rashid Khan: The Afghan leg-spinner is arguably the best bowler in white-ball cricket and a valuable asset for any T20 team. He was a consistent performer for SRH from 2017 to 2021. Early last year, Khan joined the Ahmedabad-based team. He has also been a handy lower-order batsman, scoring 446 runs at a strike rate of 151.42. Rashid was drafted in the Gujarat Titans squad for INR 15 crore ahead of the 2022 mega auction, and he lived up to his price tag by taking 18 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 6.66. He also scored 121 runs at a strike rate of 161.33, including a match-winning 34 not out off 10 balls against Delhi Capitals. Rashid has captained Afghanistan in 25 T20Is, winning 15 of them. He has also led various franchise teams in different T20 leagues around the world, such as Adelaide Strikers, Lahore Qalandars, and Kabul Zwanan. He has the skills, the temperament, and the charisma to lead the Titans, and he can be a potential candidate for the captaincy.

3. Kane Williamson: The New Zealand captain is one of the most respected and admired cricketers in the world. He is known for his calm and composed demeanor, his tactical acumen, and his prolific batting. Williamson has played 77 games in the IPL, scoring 2,046 runs at an average of 37.20 and a strike rate of 133.62. He has also captained Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for two seasons, leading them to the final in 2018 and after David Warner had to step down during the 2021 season. The WTC 2021 winner was the highest run-scorer in the 2018 season, with 735 runs in 17 matches. Williamson was bought by Gujarat Titans for INR 14 crore ahead of the 2023 season, but he got injured in the very first match he played for them and missed the rest of the season. He is expected to be fit and available for the 2024 season, and he can be a strong contender for the captaincy role, given his experience and credentials.

2. Shubman Gill: The young opener from Punjab is one of the most promising talents in Indian cricket. He has impressed everyone with his elegant and fluent batting, and his ability to adapt to different formats and conditions. The right-hander has played 54 games in the IPL, scoring 1,298 runs at an average of 28.21 and a strike rate of 125.45. He has been a consistent performer for the Titans, scoring 372 runs in 14 matches in 2022, and 411 runs in 15 matches in 2023. Gill has also captained India's U-19 team to the World Cup title in 2018, and has led Punjab in domestic cricket. He can be seen as a long-term option for the Gujarat Titans’ captaincy, as he has the potential and the temperament to lead from the front.

1. David Miller: The South African left-hander has been a vital cog in the Titans’ middle order, scoring 287 runs in 14 matches in 2022, and 312 runs in 15 matches in 2023. He has also hit some crucial knocks for the team, such as a 43-ball 62 against Chennai Super Kings, and a 28-ball 53 against Mumbai Indians. Miller has also captained South Africa in 10 T20Is, winning six of them. He has the experience and the ability to single-handedly change the course of a game, and he can be a perfect captaincy material for the Gujarat Titans.

The unfolding trade dynamics and the potential return of Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians add an extra layer of excitement and speculation to the upcoming IPL season. The captaincy decision for Gujarat Titans will undoubtedly shape their strategies and team composition for IPL 2024.