The Gujarat Titans are having a dream season. The IPL 2022 has been an ideal one for them. Before the tournament started no analyst (including me) gave them a significant chance. What added to their problems was the absence of Jason Roy. However, the team has managed to find heroes in every match. They have contributed as a team to their overall success. So, what has worked for the Gujarat Titans? What are the things that made them different than the other teams in IPL 2022? Here’s a look:
1) Senior Players have Stepped Up for Gujarat in IPL 2022:
In the most important games, the senior players have stepped up. In the games against the more successful teams like Chennai, players like Rashid and David Miller have taken responsibility. Hardik Pandya is very keen on his batting abilities and has been batting up the order. He has at times walked in to bat at number 3. Matthew Wade and Wriddhiman Saha have made limited but effective contributions. Wade’s inputs from behind the stumps are also very effective.
Ashish Nehra is the coach of the Titans. He has been a part of several IPL teams and has good knowledge about how to go about things. Ashish may appear as a very chill person on the field but he is a great thinker of the game. Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan have looked after the bowling department.
2) Consistently Backing the Players:
The Titans’ management has backed their players heavily. Vijay Shankar even after failing for the first 5 to 6 games was dropped in the 7th one. They also backed Yash Dayal when he leaked runs a few games. This gives a sense of reliability and security to the players. Matthew Wade was also not having a good time initially but the management backed him because of his experience. This has resulted in great benefits as Wade played a crucial knock in “Qualifier 1”.
Another example of backing is that of Rahul Tewatia. Tewatia was written off by many analysts as a one-match wonder but the GT management believed in him. He has been the top finisher in the tournament. One can never forget his two sixes off the last two balls to win the game against the Punjab Kings.
3) Well Defined Roles for Players:
Another important aspect is the clarity of thought that Gujarat has. They have well-defined roles for every player. They want Yash Dayal to give them 2 to 3 overs in the powerplay and 1 at the death. Titans don’t mind Yash leaking runs as long as he is taking wickets. Hardik himself has a very clear role. He has to make sure that the batting revolves around him. He can walk in to bat at number 3 or number 4. If required he has to bowl 1 or 2 overs too.
Rashid Khan was given clarity concerning his role as a batter. Now this move speaks a lot about the research and analysis of the Titans. Who could believe that Rashid Khan could win games for the Titans with the bat? Mohammed Shami is clear that he majorly has to bowl in the powerplay.
4) Gujarat has a Great Group of Youngsters in IPL 2022:
Gujarat Titans have a touch that Mumbai Indians have. I believe that this is the input of Hardik Pandya. The management has put together a good group of young players. The IPL stands to promote young talent and this is exactly what they have done. This group includes players like Sai Sudarshan, Sai Kishore, Yash Dayal, and Abhinav Manohar Sadarangani.
Shubman Gill also found a comfortable spot with the Gujarat Titans. He was getting career-best scores which tell us that he is in the right frame of mind.
5) Gujarat has a Superb Bowling Unit in IPL 2022:
We have always heard that batters can win you games but bowlers will win you tournaments. This can be the case with the Gujarat Titans. This team made sure that they do not compromise on their bowling. At the beginning of the tournament, their bowling was looking the most solid. They have Lockie Ferguson alongside Mohammed Shami. Add to that the presence of Yash Dayal. Alzarri Joseph has also bowled well.
The spin department is pretty much sorted with Rashid being the leader of the pack. Rahul Tewatia has offered a little with the ball. The surprise package in this case was Sai Kishore. Kishore was left unexposed by the Gujarat management. He was the trump card that they pulled out when it mattered the most.
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