IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans (GT) SWOT Analysis

In this article, we offer you our SWOT analysis of the Gujarat Titans (GT) following the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. 

Strength

After a disappointing 2023 campaign, Ashish Nehra and Co have put together one of the most complete squads on paper. They now have players that can hammer away from the start, consolidate through the middle phase, and bring it home in the end. 

The top order of Shubman Gill, Jos Butler, and Sai Sudarshan is one of the most in-form and dangerous top orders in the IPL heading into the 2025 season. They also have an explosive middle order comprising Shahrukh Khan, one of Glenn Philips or Sherfane Rutherford, and Rahul Tewatia. 

Moreover, the Titans have filled the hole left by Mohammed Shami by bringing in quality pacers like Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna. Last year’s breakthrough star Gerald Coetzee will play backup to Rabada, while the GT also have the likes of Ishant Sharma, Kulwant Khejroliya, and Afghan all-rounder Karim Janat to provide further pace reinforcement. 

Weakness

With their formidable top order and class bowling department, the Titans have left themselves short in the middle order. They’ve done really good business in acquiring the services of Glenn Philips at base price, but only one of Philips and Sherfane Rutherford will actually get to play as the team’s designated overseas batter on any given day.

Moreover, the Titans don’t have any experienced backups to their two Indian middle-order batters. Mahipal Lomror will most likely play as their Impact Sub, leaving the two wicketkeepers Anuj Rawat and Kumar Kushagra as the only other viable options.

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Opportunity

Although the SunRisers Hyderabad made it to the final of last season’s IPL, Washington Sundar played just two games—that too as an Impact Sub. However, since then, the Tamil Nadu player has gone from strength to strength, emerging as one of the top choices for the Indian national team. 

After two fruitful T20I series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, Sundar had an excellent Test series against New Zealand, taking 16 wickets in two Tests. Moreover, his ability to bat anywhere from the opening to #7 slots will prove an asset, with the Titans having a batting lineup dominated by right-handers. 

Another left-hander who will look to make a difference Mahipal Lomror. The 25-year-old played largely as an Impact Sub for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru last season. He has been in fine form for Rajasthan this Ranji season, scoring 529 runs in three First Class games, including an unbeaten 300 against Uttarakhand. 

Threat

As highlighted in the Weakness section, the GT middle order looks light on paper, and those entrusted to carry the mantle have question marks written all over them. Another cause for concern is that both their Indian players in the playing XI, Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia, haven’t scored more than 200 runs each in their last two campaigns. 

The 29-year-old Tamil Nadu player has had quite a few seasons in the IPL, though the explosive batter has failed to deliver on his potential in all this time. In his four years of playing in the IPL, Khan has never crossed the 200-run mark for a season. Similarly, Tewatia, after his breakthrough season in 2020, has failed to live up to his potential. But the GT hierarchy have yet again trusted the 31-year-old to deliver those handful of match-altering innings in the coming season. 

A lot will be riding on whoever the Titans go with as their #4 batter. Both Glenn Philips and Sherfane Rutherford bring their own unique skillset to the table, but neither batter has set the world alight over the past year or so. With their strong top order and potent bowling lineup, how the GT middle order fares will make or break their whole season.   

Probable XII: Shubman Gill, Jos Butler, Sai Sudarshan, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Mahipal Lomror (Impact Sub) 

Prediction: 1st