Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Dole believes Gujarat Titans failed to find a suitable successor for former captain Hardik Pandya in the 2024 IPL auction. The 30-year-old has joined Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season of the Metropolitan League.
Gujarat Titans acquired eight players in the auction but lost out to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the bids for two big names, Mitchell Starc and Harshal Patel, respectively. Azmatullah Omarzai and Shahrukh Khan were selected in the team as they can replace Hardik Pandya in the team.
Star Sports asked Simon Doll after the auction if Gujarat Titans can fill the hole that was there before the auction. The former New Zealand pacer feels he could not fill the absence of Hardik Pandya in the team, and Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai are good for the Ahmedabad-based team. He added that he is a reinforcement player.
“I don’t think they filled the hole left by Hardik Pandya by any stretch of the imagination. But they went to Kartik Tyagi, so they had some local bowling and was what they needed, especially Umesh Yadav and Kartik Tyagi.”
“Spencer Johnson was interesting to me. I like him. I think he’s a very, very good cricketer. Moods (Tom Moody) knows him very well. was apparently part of The Hundred with Mood at the Oval Invincibles. “If you want to add an international all-rounder to your team, Azmatullah Omarzai is an absolute bargain at $5 million,” said Simon Doerr.
2022 IPL champions Gujarat Titans have acquired Spencer Johnson for Rs 10 crore after not retaining the services of Mitchell Starc along with Umesh Yadav. The acquisition of Azmatullah Omarzai for Rs 50 million has increased GT’s Afghanistan contingent, which already included Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad.
Gujarat Titans Replaced Hardik Pandya Using The Vehicle Of Impact Player – Tom Moody
Tom Moody believes Gujarat Titans tried to find a replacement for Hardik Pandya by combining the skills of two players, with Umesh Yadav and Shahrukh Khan both able to play as Pandya I believe that. He claimed that the Tamil Nadu batsman can destroy teams in his IPL 2024.
“I thought your auction was really interesting. I felt like they were trying to replace Hardik Pandya using an Impact player’s vehicle. I think they decided it was a bowler who offered it to them.”
“You might not get fours from him, but he can deliver a few overs and then move up the order at 5th or 6th, maybe closer to 6th. There’s Shahrukh Khan who can push up.” Be more of a finisher,” Tom Moody said.
Gujarat Titans paid Rs 58 crore for Umesh Yadav and Shah Rukh was acquired for Rs 100 crore. 7.4 billion. The franchise hopes to use her as an impact player in the cash-rich league’s 2024 season.
The Shubman Gill-led team has a strong bowling attack going into next season and will be looking to continue their consistent success in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
