IPL 2024: The Malfunctioning of the Gujarat Titans Model - Why, Where and How to Repair?

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'Aava De', the Gujarati phrase has received national familiarity courtesy of the Gujarat Titans. It generally means 'Bring It On', but ironically, that exact attitude is missing in the Gujarat Titans this IPL season.

The Titans started their IPL journey in 2022 and it was a dream one. The newborn baby of the IPL overcame the giants and won the title in its maiden season. The year after that was also pretty special as they went on to reach the Finals.

But IPL 2024 hasn't started in the fashion they would have loved. Although it's too early to predict anything, but the general feeling after seeing Gujarat Titans in their first five matches predicts this team may fall short of the playoffs.

The Gujarat Titans Model, which was a massive hit for the first two years, seems to be malfunctioning in the early stages of the 3rd season. The Titans, under their new captain Shubman Gill, have failed to stamp their familiar authority in the season.

GT have managed two wins out of five matches and have lost heavily. Against CSK, they lost by 63 runs. Against Punjab it was a close call but Lucknow beat them by 33 runs most recently.

A machinery which was functioning so smoothly has suddenly taken a hit, and if we look at it, there is a multifaceted reason for their underwhelming performances this season.

Why Gujarat Titans are not at their best this season?

The Captain Factor: The primary reason is the way things transpired ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. The departure of captain Hardik Pandya has been a massive blow to them. Hardik led them to an IPL win and another IPL Final appearance, and the sudden change in leadership has taken a toll. Taking nothing away from Shubman Gill, the 24-year-old has very minimal captaincy experience and he has struggled to lead the time at times.

Injuries: Another massive thing which has caused GT's decline is the injuries of key players. Gujarat Titans are missing Mohammed Shami for the entire season, while Robin Minz is also out for the season after an accident. The Titans also saw David Miller out injured in the last match. These unfortunate things have dented their chances in the first few matches.

Where are Gujarat Titans lacking in IPL 2024?

Gujarat Titans are lacking in every department. If we see, they lost just 8 (4 & 4) matches in the league stages of IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons, they have already lost thrice in the first five matches.

GT haven't looked at their best this season with the bat. Shubman Gill seems to have a huge burden on his shoulders and looks like the solitary batter who can carry them forward. The likes of Vijay Shankar, Wriddhiman Saha and others haven't performed as they would have expected.

With the ball, Rashid Khan's underwhelming start has been another big issue. The Afghan spinner has only managed 5 wickets in five matches and has gone at a rate of almost nine per over. Apart from Mohit Sharma, none of their bowlers have looked threatening this season. Umesh Yadav, Noor Ahmad have shone in patches but they need a lot more from them.

Another important area where they have lacked is mentality. In the last two seasons, GT were known for winning games out of nowhere. But so far, the Shubman Gill-led Titans have faltered from adverse situations. They have made mistakes, have caved in difficult moments, and have squandered opportunities.

Gujarat Titans: How can they Revive the Season?

It is still a long way to go for Gujarat Titans in this IPL season. They have had a stuttering start, but there are ample opportunities for them to improve. The Titans have a decent squad with a blend of young and experienced players, but they will have to gel together as a team and perform when they need them the most.

Shubman Gill has been decent with his bad, but he needs a lot more support. David Miller, Sai Sudharsan and others will have to step up in their batting in the upcoming matches. In terms of bowling, the likes of Umesh Yadav and Rashid Khan, who are seasoned campaigners in this format, will need to put up the ante and get things done.

They have a few tough challenges coming up in the next few weeks And if they can withstand that pressure and prevail, then the Titans can revive this season and reach greater heights.