In a surprising turn of events, the Gujarat Titans, who entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a bang by winning the title in their maiden season in 2022 and narrowly missing out on a repeat in 2023, found themselves out of the top six in IPL 2024. The franchise that once demonstrated a formidable presence on the pitch was a mere shadow of its former self this season. Let’s delve into the factors that contributed to this drastic decline in their performance.
**Leadership Changes and Shubman Gill’s Performance**
One of the first major upheavals for the Gujarat Titans was the change in leadership. Last season’s skipper, Hardik Pandya, decided to return to his old stomping grounds, Mumbai Indians, through the trading window before the auction. This unexpected move forced the leadership mantle onto the shoulders of Shubman Gill, a promising young player but relatively inexperienced in leading a side under such high-stakes conditions.
Gill’s captaincy seemingly affected his personal form. Although he managed to amass 426 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 147.4, including a century and two fifties, his inconsistency was evident. Out of these runs, a significant chunk was scored in the early matches of the season, after which his performance dwindled. Over the middle stretch of the league, his strike rate plummeted to nearly 100, and he could only accumulate 67 runs in five innings before his remarkable century against Chennai Super Kings. Unfortunately, by then, the team’s chances at the playoffs had virtually evaporated.
This was in stark contrast to his form in IPL 2023, where he had a record-breaking season with 890 runs, featuring three centuries and four fifties at a staggering strike rate of 157.80. The decline in Gill’s form inevitably impacted the team’s powerplay run rates and put additional pressure on his teammates.
**The Hardik Pandya Void**
Hardik Pandya’s absence was perhaps the most glaring void for the Titans. Known for his all-round capabilities, Pandya’s performances in the previous seasons—487 runs in 2022 and 346 in 2023—were pivotal to the Titans’ balance. To fill this gap, the Titans brought in Azmatullah Omarzai from Afghanistan. However, Omarzai couldn’t match Pandya’s contributions, scoring only 42 runs across four innings and taking four wickets in the seven matches he played. His performance underscored the challenge of replacing a multi-faceted player like Pandya.
Pandya’s bowling, though less impactful with only 11 wickets across two seasons, was still missed. However, it was his batting that the Titans dearly felt short of, especially during critical middle-order collapses.
**David Miller’s Unfulfilled Potential**
David Miller, another key player who had been instrumental in the Titans’ previous successes, also failed to live up to expectations in IPL 2024. Despite scoring 210 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 151, Miller couldn’t replicate his past heroics. His previous seasons were marked by crucial, unbeaten innings that often guided the Titans to victory. This time around, the pressure of filling the middle order single-handedly, exacerbated by injuries that saw him miss five matches, was too much. The lack of support from other experienced middle-order batsmen when Miller wasn’t available further weakened the team’s batting strength.
**Bowling Woes: Shami, Mohit Sharma, and Rashid Khan**
The bowling department also contributed to the Titans’ downfall. Mohammed Shami, a pivotal player in their bowling lineup, was sidelined due to an ankle injury post the 2023 ODI World Cup. His absence was sorely felt, particularly in the powerplay where he had previously excelled.
Mohit Sharma, initially impressive, lost form midway through the season. His performance saw a stark decline, culminating in him conceding the worst figures in IPL history (0/73 in four overs). Overall, his economy rate ballooned to 10.89, indicating a significant dip in effectiveness.
Rashid Khan, the linchpin of their spin attack, was also not at his best. Coming off a back surgery and playing only a handful of games before the IPL, Rashid could only manage 10 wickets in 12 matches, never taking more than two in a single game. His inability to produce match-winning performances left a gaping hole in the Titans’ strategy.
**Conclusion**
All these factors combined explain why the Gujarat Titans, once a powerhouse in the IPL, couldn’t make it to the playoffs this year. Shubman Gill’s initial path in captaincy was fraught with challenges that impacted his batting form. The team will look ahead, undoubtedly planning to come back stronger next season. With a mega auction on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how the Titans strategize to rebuild. As Gill and his team regroup, the Gujarat Titans’ fans will be hoping for a resurgence to their glorious past in the IPL 2025.
