IPL 2023 Season Review: Gujarat Titans (GT)

In a nail-biting showdown, Gujarat Titans succumbed to defeat in the finals of IPL 2023 against CSK, with the match being decided on the very last ball.

The Gujarat Titans had a remarkable campaign in IPL 2022, emerging as champions, and carried high hopes into the following year's tournament to defend their title. During the group stage, their performance was outstanding, winning 10 out of the 14 league matches and finishing at the top of the league stage.

In the playoffs, they faced Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the qualifier 1 but unfortunately lost that match. However, they didn't let that setback deter them and bounced back in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians (MI), securing a victory and qualifying for the final.

In the final, the match went down to the last ball, indicating a thrilling contest. However, despite their best efforts, the Gujarat Titans couldn't clinch the victory and lost to CSK by 5 wickets (DLS). As a result, they couldn't secure back-to-back IPL titles.

Throughout the tournament, the Gujarat Titans were widely regarded as the most balanced team. Their impressive performance in the group stage and the playoffs showcased their strength and capabilities. Although they fell short in the final, their overall campaign was still commendable.

Fact Sheet

The Gujarat Titans wrapped up their IPL campaign securing the runners-up position in the tournament. During the 14 league games they played, the team emerged victorious in 10 matches while suffering defeat in the remaining 4. Although they lost the qualifier 1 after the league stage, they made a strong comeback by winning the qualifier 2. However, despite their efforts, they couldn't clinch the title and lost in the final. In total, the Gujarat Titans played 17 matches, winning 11 and losing 6.

Top Performers

Leading Run Scorer – Shubman Gill

In the 2023 IPL season, Shubman Gill proved to be the standout batsman for the Gujarat Titans, earning him the prestigious Orange Cap. Gill's incredible talent and remarkable batting skills were on full display as he amassed a phenomenal total of 890 runs in 17 matches. This outstanding performance included the remarkable feat of scoring 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries throughout the season. Gill's batting average in the tournament stood at an impressive 59.33, with his highest score being an impressive 129 runs. Additionally, his strike rate throughout the tournament was an impressive 157.80, showcasing his ability to score runs quickly and decisively.

Leading Wicket Taker – Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami emerged as the leading wicket-taker for the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 IPL season, earning him the prestigious Purple Cap for his remarkable bowling performances. Shami consistently showcased his exceptional skills throughout the tournament, taking a total of 28 wickets in 17 matches. His best bowling figures of 4/11 stood as a testament to his bowling prowess and ability to dismantle opposition batting lineups. Furthermore, Shami maintained an impressive economy rate of 8.03, displaying his ability to contain runs while picking up crucial wickets.

The Underperformer of the Season:

Yash Dayal

Yash Dayal, the left-arm pacer, faced a challenging moment in a game where Rinku Singh unleashed an onslaught, hitting him for five consecutive sixes, resulting in a thrilling chase. Unfortunately, this incident overshadowed Dayal's overall performance in the season, which was largely disappointing. Throughout the season, he managed to claim only 2 wickets in 5 matches, struggling to make a substantial impact. Furthermore, his economy rate stood at 11.79, indicating difficulties in containing the flow of runs. It was undoubtedly a tough season for Dayal, both in terms of taking wickets and maintaining control over the scoring rate.

Special Mentions

The Gujarat Titans truly showcased their balance and strength as a team, evident by having both the Orange Cap winner, Shubman Gill, and the Purple Cap winner, Mohammed Shami, in their squad. Moreover, their bowling department excelled with three bowlers featuring in the top 3 wicket-takers list for the season. The comeback of Mohit Sharma provided a significant boost to the team, while Sai Sudarshan played a brilliant innings of 96 runs in the finals, displaying his remarkable batting prowess. Additionally, Vijay Shankar's performances contributed significantly to the team's success. The Gujarat Titans' combination of talented players and exceptional performances from various individuals made them a formidable and well-balanced team throughout the season.

Top team performance

In Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians, the Gujarat Titans delivered an exceptional performance. Shubman Gill's blazing knock of 129 off 60 balls, supported by Sai Sudharsan's 43 off 31, propelled the Titans to a massive total of 233/3. Mohit Sharma's match-turning spell of 5/10, backed by a collective bowling effort, restricted Mumbai Indians to 171 all out. Mohit's stellar performance and his career-best figures played a crucial role in the Titans' impressive 62-run victory.

Captain’s report card

Hardik Pandya had a subpar performance in the IPL 2023, played 16 matches but only managed to score 346 runs. His highest score for the season was 66, while his batting average stood at 31.45. With a strike rate of 136.75, Pandya struggled to consistently make a significant impact with the bat. Overall, it was a challenging season for him in terms of individual batting contributions. With the ball also, Hardik Pandya had a relatively quiet season for the Gujarat Titans, managing to take only 3 wickets in 16 matches. His economy rate stood at 9.12.

Lessons to be learned

The Gujarat Titans are widely regarded as the most balanced team in the IPL, but the middle-order batting performance is an area that needs improvement. Apart from Shubman Gill, who scored a remarkable 890 runs in the tournament, the second-highest scorer for the Titans was Wriddhiman Saha with 371 runs. Enhancing their middle-order batting will be a key focus for the team moving forward.