5 Reasons Why Gujarat Titans Are The Team To Beat In IPL 2023

Gujarat have arguably the strongest seam bowling attack in IPL 2023. Mohammed Shami, who was their leading wicket-taker last year, has also started brilliantly this year...

-  RENIN WILBEN

Indian Premier League (IPL) defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) have got their 2023 campaign off to an excellent start. They beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by five wickets in the season opener. Gujarat were set 179 to win in the opening match and got home by five wickets in 19.2 overs thanks to some very good batting performances. They defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) in their second match by six wickets. Gujarat were set to chase a target of 163, and they got past the target rather comfortably in the end in 18.1 overs. In both games, GT were put under pressure but found a way to get over the line. Of all the teams that have been on display so far, Gujarat have looked among the most dangerous. Let’s analyze five reasons why Gujarat Titans are the team to beat in IPL 2023.

1. THEIR STRONG SEAM BOWLING COMBINATION

Gujarat have arguably the strongest seam bowling attack in IPL 2023. Mohammed Shami, who was their leading wicket-taker last year, has also started brilliantly this year. He has already picked up five wickets in two matches at an average of 14. Apart from picking wickets, he has also looked extremely dangerous, always keeping the batters on the back foot. Shami has had good support from the canny West Indian pacer Alzarri Joseph, who picked up two wickets off consecutive deliveries against Delhi Capitals (DC). Joseph is someone who has the knack for picking up wickets in almost every game he bowls. He has picked up two scalps in both matches he has played. Joseph can unsettle batters with excellent bouncers like he did with Rilee Rossouw in the last game. On his day, skipper Hardik Pandy is a match-winner with the ball, while Ireland’s Joshua Little is also an excellent addition to the side. They also have Yash Dayal, who can chip in if and when needed. In other words, Gujarat have quality and variety as well.