IPL 2024: Kane Williamson, Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill? Potential Captaincy Options For Gujarat Titans Now

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The reports of Hardik Pandya set to reunite with his former Indian Premier League (IPL) team Mumbai Indians at the close of the IPL Trade Window has heightened the tensions of Gujarat Titans fans.

The suspense and drama over the transfer of senior India all-rounder, the biggest ever in the history of IPL trade, continued hours after the BCCI unveiled the list of players retained and released by all ten franchises after the trade window closed on Sunday (November 26).

In the list released by the BCCI, Hardik was still part of the Ahmedabad-based franchise. But reports later claimed that the transfer of Hardik to MI was very much on and the deal was sealed by the Mumbai-based franchise after Mumbai traded Australia all-rounder Cameron Green (INR 17.50 crore) with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), swelling their purse to pay for Hardik.

IPL 2024: Hardik Pandya Parting Ways With Gujarat Titans?

Hardik guided Gujarat Titans to title triumph in the debut season and led the IPL newbies in the IPL 2022 and 2023 editions. Even in the IPL 2023, GT - the defending champions - lost to Chennai Super Kings under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.

Reports now have it that Hardik has expressed his desire to leave the Ahmedabad-based franchise and join his alma mater, MI, where he made his IPL debut and went on to become a household name.

It is being said that the Baroda cricketer was in constant touch with Mumbai Indians ever since GT's defeat in the IPL 2023 Final due to growing differences with the team management. Hardik Pandya traded to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans - How does it benefit MI?

Mumbai Indians To Reunite With Hardik Pandya?

Mumbai Indians want to have Hardik - who has also been leading the Indian side in the white-ball format, especially T20Is in the absence of Rohit Sharma - as a future captain.

Mumbai Indians, who are the joint-most successful franchise (alongside CSK) in the history of the premier domestic T20 competition in the world, want to have another able leader and Rohit Sharma's successor should the Indian captain decide to pass on the baton.

MI won all five IPL titles under Rohit's leadership but the Mumbaikar will definitely take a call on his IPL future in the coming years and before that, the Mumbai-based franchise will have a viable captaincy option in Hardik.

While Mumbai would have a choice between Rohit and Hardik for the captaincy job, Gujarat team management will be definitely scampering to find a new captain for the next edition.

What Are The Captaincy Options For Gujarat Titans?

GT team management could look at Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan - the two senior players in the side - as the potential captaincy options for the franchise for IPL 2024 and beyond. Reports also claim that the team management is mulling to appoint young India batter Shubman Gill as the captain for the next season.

Kane Williamson Gujarat Titans Captain?

Williamson - the New Zealand captain - has a fair amount of experience in leading the national as well as an IPL side. The talismanic batter - who missed the previous season due to an injury he sustained during the IPL 2023 opening game - led Sunrisers Hyderabad for four seasons, always has his thinking hat on, and is known as an astute tactician.

Rashid Khan To Captain Gujarat Titans In IPL 2024?

Afghanistan spin-bowling superstar Rashid Khan - who is Hardik Pandya's deputy - has led his national team in the past but gave it up voluntarily to focus on his game. Rashid led MI Cape Town in the inaugural season of SA20, the T20 competition in South Africa.

But his team failed to leave an impression in the season and Rashid's captaincy was also criticised. GT team management might not be very inclined to hand over the captaincy role to Rashid for the added pressure of leading the side might impact his performance.

Shubman Gill To Make IPL Captaincy Debut?

Shubman Gill is a potential superstar in the making and might even get to lead the IPL side in the future, but the team management isn't in the mood to burden the shoulders of the 24-year-old with the weight of captaincy at an early stage of his career.

The fourth option for GT could be looking for a player, who is capable enough of leading the side, at the IPL 2024 Auction and appointing him as the new skipper. But it will only be possible if the team management gets a potential captaincy material player at the auction table.