IPL 2022: Possible First-Choice for 4 Overseas Players Of Gujarat Titans
IPL 2022: Every team at the IPL mega auction was permitted to buy a maximum of 25 players, inclusive of up to 8 overseas players. Gujarat Titans have bought 23 players from the purse limit of INR 90 Cr including 8 overseas players.
With IPL mega auctions done and dusted, every team will now look to pick the right combination of players from the chosen pool to form a formidable team. Exercising the special permit, Gujarat Titans had bought Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan as one of their drafts picks ahead of the auction. They bought Rashid Khan for INR 15 cr ahead of the auction.
The franchise later bought seven more overseas players to build their pool of players. They spent the highest amount in the auction to buy New Zealand pacer, Lockie Ferguson. Gujarat Titans roped in Lockie Ferguson for INR 10 Cr. The list of Gujarat Titans overseas players includes Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, David Miller, Dominic Drakes, Matthew Wade, Alzarri Joseph, Jason Roy, and Noor Ahmad.
However, a maximum of 4 overseas players are allowed to play in the game. In this case, the team will have to finalize their preferred choice for 4 overseas players in the 15th edition of the IPL. We had previously discussed the Possible XI of Gujarat Titans. In this piece, we shall discuss the:
IPL 2022: Possible first choice for 4 overseas players of Gujarat Titans
1. Jason Roy
England opener Jason Roy is an aggressive right-handed batsman and yet very soothing to the eyes. Jason scores run rather quickly without compromising his technique. He is a hard-hitting batsman and has been a central figure in England’s ODI batting line-up. Jason remains in high demand in T20 leagues across the world. He is a dependable opener and is proficient at finding gaps and maximizing powerplay.
He bats at a relatively high strike rate and is capable of providing steady starts. Roy could very well complement his opening partner Shubman Gill, who was bought by the Gujarat Titans as a draft pick ahead of the auction.
2. Matthew Wade
Matthew Wade last featured in the IPL in 2011. He has not been preferred by any franchise since. However, he has been a constant member of his native T20 league – BBL. Wade is once again in the reckoning after his heroic innings against Pakistan in the semi-finals. He also had an amazing outing in the recently concluded Big Bash League for the Hobart Hurricanes. Wade is an exceptional wicket-keeper and can score runs quickly.
The team has only picked two wicketkeepers in their lot of players. His counterpart Wriddhiman Saha is exceptional with gloves behind the gloves, however, the former can easily edge him out in batting. Wade can hit the ball hard and long and can also play the role of a finisher.
3. David Miller
The southpaw from South Africa has a name for himself in the shortest format of the game. Miller can make quick runs and can score them in pressure situations. He is fondly known as ‘Miller the Killer’ for his lethal batting instincts. Miller has a record for the third fastest century in the IPL and proves to be carnage for bowlers on his day. Moreover, Miller is an exceptional fielder and has a strong throwing arm.
David Miller has featured in a substantial number of games in the IPL. In 86 innings of 89 games, Miller has scored 1974 runs at an avg of 32.9 in the IPL. He has a century and ten 50’s to his name as well. Miller has played most of the IPL for Punjab Kings XI. However, he was part of the Rajasthan Royals camp last year. Miller could prove to be one of the main players in the new Gujarat Titans franchise this year.
4. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan hails from the war-torn country of Afghanistan. Yet he sells like a hot cake in T20 leagues across the world. Rashid belongs to the new world of spinners. He is not a big turner of the ball or bowls slower through the air. Rather bowls at a quicker pace with disciplined line and length. He also uses googly and other variations to great effect to succeed in T20 cricket. Rashid was with SRH since the start of his IPL career and in 76 games he has picked 93 wickets. He has also brightened up his batting in the last couple of years and has the ability to play handy cameos at the end of the innings.
Rashid is usually at the top of the players’ list for every franchise. Gujarat Titans were aware of this fact and bought him for INR 15 cr as their draft pick ahead of the mega auction. Rashid has been roped in, keeping in mind his value and importance to the team. He, alongside Hardik Pandya and David Miller, will form the core of the team.
