When Gujarat Titans arrived in 2022, there were plenty of doubters. A new team? No history? No so-called “legacy”? Didn’t matter. They came in, played proper cricket, and won the whole thing. No drama, no fuss. Just ruthless, effective cricket. That’s how the game should be played.

They didn’t care about tradition, about waiting their turn. They just got on with it, led by Hardik Pandya, a captain who played like he had a point to prove. The Titans didn’t sneak their way to the top. They ran through the league, finished first, and battered everyone in their way. Then they did it again in 2023, only to fall short in the final. But in 2024, the cracks showed. Hardik left. Injuries piled up. They finished eighth. A disaster, by any standard.

Now, 2025 is a test of character. Can they fight their way back? They’ve brought in players who know how to win. The expectations are high, but that’s how it should be.

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Now, let’s talk about the team and their success in 2022, problems that started in 2023 and how Titans struggled in 2024. The main question though is how they will perform in 2025.

Gujarat Titans’ performance history

Gujarat Titans are owned by CVC Capital Partners. It’s a private equity firm that spent ₹5,625 crore (approx. $750 million) on the franchise back in 2021.

When Gujarat Titans entered the IPL in 2022, there were plenty of players, analysts and just cricket lovers who doubted them. No history, no established core, no real expectations. People thought they’d need years to build something. Instead, they walked in, took charge, and won the whole thing. No nonsense, no waiting around — just straight to the top. That’s how it’s done.

2022: Walk in, win the Trophy

No team has had a more ruthless start to an IPL journey than Gujarat Titans in 2022. A franchise built from scratch? Didn’t matter. They weren’t here to “learn” or “develop” — they came to dominate.

In 2022 Ashish Nehra became their coach and Hardik Pandya took the captaincy like a man on a mission, leading with a mix of aggression and calmness. Ten wins in 14 league matches — that wasn’t luck. That was control. They topped the table, went into the playoffs with momentum, and then did the job against Rajasthan Royals. First in Qualifier 1, then in the final, where they lifted the trophy in front of 104,859 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

What made them champions?

  • Hardik Pandya led from the front. Runs with the bat, wickets with the ball, and a captain who never looked flustered.
  • Rashid Khan did what Rashid Khan does. Picked up wickets when it mattered, strangled teams in the middle overs, and chipped in with the bat when needed.
  • David Miller? Ice-cold. The finisher Gujarat needed, winning them games from impossible positions.

A new franchise winning the IPL in year one? That’s unheard of. But Gujarat didn’t care about history — they wrote their own.

2023: Good, but not good enough

The sign of a top team is how they follow up success. And Gujarat looked even stronger in 2023. The best bowling unit? Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan fighting for the Purple Cap. The best batter? Shubman Gill making a mockery of bowlers, finishing with the Orange Cap and 890 runs.

Gujarat owned the league stage again, finishing top and rolling into the final full of confidence. But there’s one rule in IPL — if you give MS Dhoni a sniff, you’re in trouble.

And that’s exactly what happened. Chennai Super Kings didn’t outplay Gujarat — they just held their nerve better. A final-ball loss, the kind that stings for months. Titans had the game in their hands, but in the biggest moments, they blinked.

No trophies, no celebrations, no fairytales in 2023. Just a brutal reminder — winning once is hard. Doing it again is even harder.

2024: The Collapse – An 8th-Place Finish That Exposed Everything

After two years of being a force in the IPL, Gujarat Titans didn’t just dip in 2024 — they imploded. And let’s be honest, they brought it on themselves.

The biggest shock? Hardik Pandya packing his bags for Mumbai Indians. Not just any player, but their captain, their leader, their heartbeat. Losing a player like that shakes a squad, and it showed. Shubman Gill took over, but leadership in T20 cricket isn’t about looking elegant at the crease—it’s about making big decisions and dragging your team through tough situations. And Gujarat didn’t do that.

To sum it up, key players in 2024 included Gill who was worth 8.00 Cr, Rashid Khan (15.00 Cr) and Sai Sudharsan (20.00 Lac).

What Went Wrong?

  • Injuries? Sure, but no excuses. Losing Mohammed Shami early in the season was a hammer blow. Without him, the bowling attack lost its edge. Rashid Khan wasn’t his usual match-winning self either, which meant no real spark in the attack.
  • Middle-order? Inconsistent at best, a disaster at worst. If the top order didn’t fire, the entire batting lineup collapsed like a house of cards.
  • Bowling depth? Nowhere near good enough. Too many times, Gujarat leaked runs when it mattered most. A couple of their bowlers had no business playing at this level.

The result? Five wins from 12 games. No playoffs. No fight. Just a season to forget.

Gujarat knew they needed a serious rebuild. They didn’t need tweaks — they needed players with character, not just flair. The 2024 season proved that talent alone won’t save you. It’s about attitude, leadership, and having players who step up when the going gets tough. Moreover, Titans decided to part ways with such players as Mohammed Shami, David Miller, Noor Ahmad, and Joshua Little before IPL 2025.

2025: The rebuild & road to redemption

Gujarat Titans went big at the IPL 2025 auction, bringing in Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Siraj. The aim? A comeback for the ages. With a balanced squad and a point to prove, Gujarat Titans are once again among the strongest title contenders this season.

Gujarat Titans Squad 2025

Let’s take a look at the complete Gujarat Titans squad for IPL 2025, featuring a mix of retained stars and new signings from the auction:

Player Role Price (INR) Retained/Bought
Rahul Tewatia All-rounder ₹4 Cr Retained
Shahrukh Khan All-rounder ₹4 Cr Retained
Sai Sudharsan Batter ₹8.5 Cr Retained
Shubman Gill Batter ₹16.5 Cr Retained
Rashid Khan All-rounder ₹18 Cr Retained
Mahipal Lomror All-rounder ₹1.7 Cr Bought
Glenn Phillips WK-Batter ₹2 Cr Bought
Sherfane Rutherford All-rounder ₹2.6 Cr Bought
Washington Sundar All-rounder ₹3.2 Cr Bought
Prasidh Krishna Bowler ₹9.5 Cr Bought
Kagiso Rabada Bowler ₹10.75 Cr Bought
Mohammed Siraj Bowler ₹12.25 Cr Bought
Jos Buttler WK-Batter ₹15.75 Cr Bought

The Titans have built a squad with incredible depth, ensuring they have top-tier players in every department. With power-hitters, crafty spinners, and a world-class pace attack, they are set to be one of the most dangerous teams in IPL 2025.

Key players to watch in 2025

Gujarat Titans retained players 2025

  1. Rashid Khan – No arguments, no debates. Best spinner in the world. If he’s not winning matches, something’s gone badly wrong.
  2. Shubman Gill – The captain. If you’re leading a side, performances matter. No point talking about potential anymore—this is his time.
  3. Sai Sudharsan – Young, talented, and growing fast. But talent means nothing if you don’t deliver when it counts.
  4. Rahul Tewatia – Big-game player. If the team’s under pressure, he thrives. Every side needs a lad like him.
  5. Shahrukh Khan – The finisher. Can hit a long ball, but needs to be more consistent. No room for passengers.

New Star Signings for 2025 – Big Names, Big Expectations

  1. Jos Buttler – Top-class batter. If he’s in the mood, he’ll tear attacks apart. But with that price tag, there’s nowhere to hide.
  2. Kagiso Rabada – Express pace, big-game mentality. He’s not here for a holiday—he’s here to win games.
  3. Mohammed Siraj – Fierce, aggressive, and in serious form. If he bowls with the same fire, batters will struggle.
  4. Washington Sundar – Smart, versatile, and dependable. Can Gujarat get the best out of him? That’s the real question.

Gujarat Titans players 2025: strengths and weaknesses

Every IPL team has its strong suits and areas of concern, and Gujarat Titans are no different. Here’s a breakdown of their biggest weapons and potential pitfalls heading into IPL 2025.

Why Gujarat Titans are a nightmare for opponents

This ain’t no team of hopefuls looking to just “compete.”  This is a squad assembled for one purpose—domination. A wrecking crew dressed in cricket whites. They’ve got quicks who’ll rattle your ribcage, spinners who’ll twist your mind into knots, and batsmen who won’t just chase a total but will hunt it down like a starving wolf on the prowl. If they get their rhythm right, the opposition won’t just lose—they’ll get trampled, steamrolled, and left wondering if they ever stood a chance in the first place.

Batting Firepower: If You Blink, It’s Over

  • Shubman Gill – The captain. The backbone of the team. He made a mockery of bowlers in 2023, and if he finds that form again, expect big scores.
  • Jos Buttler – If you’re an opposition captain, you’re praying this man has a bad day. Arguably the best white-ball batter on the planet, and when he gets going, bowlers might as well pack up and go home.
  • Sai Sudharsan – Young, fearless, and already proving he belongs at this level. If he builds on his recent form, he’s going to be a nightmare for opposition attacks.

Bowling Attack: Ruthless, Relentless, Unforgiving

  • Rashid Khan – You can’t play him. Simple as that. Batters go into survival mode when he’s bowling, and even then, they can’t handle him. He’s the best in the business.
  • Kagiso Rabada & Mohammed Siraj – Two quicks who don’t just bowl—they hunt. Rabada has pace, aggression, and the ability to turn a game with a single spell. Siraj? All energy, all fire, and a real menace when the ball starts swinging.

All-rounders: Game Changers Under Pressure

  • Rahul Tewatia – He doesn’t care about reputations. If he’s batting, and GT needs 20 off the last over, he backs himself to do it. He’s done it before, and he’ll do it again.
  • Washington Sundar – A smart, adaptable cricketer. Gives GT balance — can bowl tight overs, chip in with the bat, and be the difference in crunch moments.

Where GT might struggle

No team is perfect, and Gujarat Titans have areas that could cost them if they’re not careful.

  • Middle-order concerns – The top order is stacked, but what happens if Buttler and Gill fail? They need Shahrukh Khan and Glenn Phillips to step up, or else there’s a risk of collapses.
  • Injury worries – Losing key players hurt them badly in 2024. If one or two big names go down, does this squad have enough depth?
  • Death bowling pressure – Rabada and Siraj are top-class, but who else bowls at the death? If one of them has a bad day, GT could leak runs when it matters most.

How Gujarat Titans can win IPL 2025

This isn’t about “hoping” things go well. It’s about making sure they do. Gujarat have the squad to win, but they need to be ruthless.

1. Smash Teams in the Powerplay – Gill, Buttler, and Sudharsan need to come out swinging. Score big early, put teams under pressure. No easing in.

2. Make Rashid Khan Unplayable – Every game, Rashid has to be the enforcer in the middle overs. If he’s controlling games, GT wins. Simple.

3. Nail the Death Overs – They can’t afford to gift runs in the final five overs. If Rabada and Siraj aren’t at their best, who steps up? This has to be solved.

4. Manage Workloads – No more burnout. GT made a mess of squad rotation in 2024. If they want to win in May, they need fresh legs in April.

Sunil Gavaskar on GT’s 2025 squad:

“Gujarat Titans have built a squad capable of going all the way. Shubman Gill has matured as a leader, and with Buttler, Rashid, and Rabada in the mix, they will be a dangerous team. If they can avoid injuries, I see them making the playoffs comfortably.”

Key fixtures: when the real battles begin

  • GT vs MI (March 29, 2025) – Hardik Pandya vs Gujarat Titans. You can bet this one’s personal.
  • GT vs CSK (May 18, 2025) – The rematch of the 2023 final. A chance for revenge.
  • GT vs RCB (April 2, 2025) – Facing Kohli’s side is always a test. RCB fans will be unbearable if they win this one.
  • GT vs RR (April 9, 2025) – Can Gujarat maintain dominance over Rajasthan? This one could be tight.

Gujarat Titans don’t have time for excuses. They have too much talent to be falling short. Winning in 2022 was a statement. Losing in 2023 was painful. 2024 was a disaster. Now, 2025 is about setting things right.

This team isn’t here to make up the numbers. They have a captain who must prove he’s a winner. They have a squad that should be fighting for the title. No more “what ifs.” Get the job done.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Gujarat Titans

  1. Who’s steering this ship in 2025?
    A: That’d be Shubman Gill, holding the captain’s hat for the second year in a row. A fine batter, no doubt—but leadership in T20 cricket ain’t about looking pretty at the crease; it’s about making the tough calls. This season will tell if Gill’s got the steel for the job.
  2. Which players did Gujarat Titans cling to for 2025?
    A: You don’t throw away your best cards in a high-stakes game, and GT knows that well. They’ve held on to Rashid Khan—the man who could turn a cricket ball into a trickster’s illusion—along with their captain Gill, the promising Sai Sudharsan, the ice-cool Rahul Tewatia, and the ever-handy Shahrukh Khan.
  3. What was the price tag on Gujarat Titans’ key players in 2024?
    A: Let’s talk numbers—Gill cost ₹8.00 Cr, Rashid Khan set ‘em back ₹15.00 Cr, and Sai Sudharsan was, dare I say, a downright bargain at ₹20.00 Lac. But a price tag don’t win you matches; performance does.
  4. Who’s calling the shots as GT’s coach?
    A: That’d be Ashish Nehra, a man who wears a permanent smirk like he knows something the rest of us don’t. And maybe he does—after all, he helped Gujarat Titans rise from fresh-faced newcomers to IPL champions in a single season.
  5. Who got the boot before IPL 2025?
    A: The Titans took a broom to the squad, parting ways with some big names—Mohammed Shami, the veteran warhorse; David Miller, the finisher once feared; Noor Ahmad, the young mystery spinner; and Joshua Little, whose tenure was shorter than a rain-affected T20 match. No place for sentiment in this game.
  6. Who’s got their hands on Gujarat Titans?
    A: That’d be CVC Capital Partners, a private equity firm that shelled out ₹5,625 crore (a cool $750 million) for the franchise back in 2021. And if you’re wondering—yes, that’s a whole lot of zeros.
  7. How did Gujarat Titans bulldoze their way to the IPL title in 2022?
    A: Simple. They didn’t wait their turn, they took it. Ten wins in 14 games, finishing top of the table, and rolling through the playoffs like a storm with no mercy. Hardik Pandya led, Rashid Khan spun webs, David Miller finished like an assassin, and before anyone could say “new team jitters,” they were lifting the trophy.
  8. What went sideways in IPL 2023?
    A: They reached the final, looked poised to win, and then—MS Dhoni happened. Chennai Super Kings snatched victory from Gujarat’s grasp on the very last ball. It wasn’t that the Titans weren’t good enough—it’s just that, in cricket, when Dhoni smells a chance, you’d best start packing up early.
  9. What does Sunil Gavaskar think about Gujarat Titans in 2025?
    A: Gavaskar—never one for empty words—reckons Gujarat has the makings of a title-winning squad. His verdict? If they can keep their players off the injury table, they’ll stroll into the playoffs like they own the place.