IPL 2024: 3 Players who can replace Hardik Pandya as Gujarat Titans' Captain

Hardik Pandya is almost confirmed to make his move back to Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024. The reports suggest that the star All-rounder would be brought back by the Mumbai-based franchise for a cash deal with Gujarat Titans. Reports claim that Gujarat is ready to give up Hardik for a cash deal of INR 15 crores. If what reports suggest are to be believed, Mumbai might be at the advantage, given how valuable Hardik is as a player. On the other hand, GT gets extra money for their purse.  

It also opens a spot in Gujarat Titans to find a new leader to lead them. Gujarat was taken to two consecutive finals in their first two seasons by Hardik. GT won the first of them and ended up being the runner-up in the other after dominating the league stage of the tournament. Hence, the new leader of Gujarat must be able to handle the pressure and expectations of the fans. Some names could potentially replace Hardik as the new captain of GT. 

Here are three players who can replace Hardik as the captain of GT:

3. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan has been one of the best players in league cricket over the years. In the 2016 T20 World Cup, the Afghanistan players like him, Mohammad Nabi and others made a name for themselves. In 2017, both Nabi and Rashid were brought by Sunrisers Hyderabad, which changed the fortunes of Afghani players forever in the biggest cricket league. Rashid has been one of the best players in the league since then.  

As a bowler, Rashid is yet to have a bad season with the ball. That is a sensational feat for someone who has played 7 seasons in the league. Since 2022, Rashid has emerged to be a fantastic finisher as well. With his batting, Rashid can win the matches single-handedly for his side. As a fielder, Rashid can extraordinarily save runs. All these factors make him a total package as a player. Any team would love to have him by their side.  

In recent times, Afghanistan has given him a huge responsibility to lead. Although Rashid has not been consistent in doing it, he has proven that he can mature with age. As a captain, Rashid can prove himself, if given an opportunity. Even today, Rashid is one of the bowlers who are tough to score against. Gujarat might be looking forward to making him the captain, given how consistent he has been as a performer in the league. 

2. Kane Williamson  

Kane Williamson has been one of the best captains in cricket in the last 7-8 years. For New Zealand, Williamson helped them to enter the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2016 and 2022. In 2021, New Zealand entered their first-ever final of a T20 World Cup. In 2019, Kane nearly helped New Zealand to win the ODI World Cup by beating England. Alas, it was not to be, as fate had a different story written for him.  

Despite the failure to win the titles, Williamson impressed everyone with his leadership and batting. In the 2019 ODI World Cup, Williamson was given the Player of the Tournament award for his captaincy and batting. In the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023, Williamson led New Zealand to the semifinal with his good performances with the bat. Despite the injuries, Kane showed an improvement in stroke-making.  

In the IPL, Williamson was in very good form till 2020. Since then, things have not gone well for him. But as a captain, Kane hardly puts a foot wrong. Now that Williamson is back to his best with the bat, Gujarat might consider him to be a candidate to lead them. In the IPL 2018, Williamson took Sunrisers Hyderabad to the finals of the league with his batting and leadership prowess despite the absence of David Warner.

1. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill is one of the rising stars of the league. The youngster is capable of generating a fanbase for the franchise with his class. As a batter, Gill has been very good for GT. In 2022, Gill helped GT to win their maiden title in the league. In 2023, Gill had a sensational tournament with the bat, as he scored 890 runs in 17 innings at a batting average of 59.33, at a batting strike rate of 157.80, including 3 hundred and 4 fifty-plus scores.  

Despite having an astonishing season with the bat, GT could not win the title, as CSK won the title, thanks to the heroics of Ravindra Jadeja in the final. But GT gave a lot of memories to the fans with their brilliant performances throughout the tournament. Gill entertained the crowd by scoring the bulk of the runs. His consistency and aggression were unmatched. The way Gill scored runs was sensational to watch. It was the batting of the highest class. 

Ahead of the IPL 2024, Gill might be considered as a candidate to lead GT. The opener has been one of the most talked about players in the cricket world today. In the next 3-4 years, Gill might establish himself as one of the biggest cricket stars. everything points to a potential leadership candidate for GT. If they can ask him to lead the franchise, it would be beneficial for both GT and Gill. For the future, Gill might be the perfect leader.