Sanjay Bangar Analyzes Gujarat Titans’ Roster: Is Rashid Khan’s Mystery Factor Fading?

With a strong squad at their disposal, the Gujarat Titans face a tricky task in finalizing their playing combination for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Speaking on JioStar’s broadcast, former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar shared his assessment of how the Shubman Gill-led side could approach their lineup, specifically addressing the form of star spinner Rashid Khan.

Rebuilding the Lower Order

Bangar noted that Gujarat has persisted with the players they selected during the auction cycle, maintaining faith in their core finishers. The management retained Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia, both of whom bring immediate finishing ability in the death overs.

Washington Sundar, traditionally utilized for his powerplay bowling, may see a shift in responsibility. Bangar suggested Sundar could occupy the number four spot in the batting order to stabilize the innings. Integrating Glenn Phillips into the playing XI could further boost Gujarat’s batting firepower.

If both Tewatia and Shahrukh play, Bangar stated that one could be deployed as an Impact Player. Consistent lower-order contributions will take the pressure off the top order, which carried the bulk of the scoring load last season.

Decoding Rashid Khan’s Effectiveness

Bangar also analyzed why Rashid Khan’s mystery factor appears to have diminished in T20 cricket. Khan remains a top-tier bowler, but his overall wicket-taking threat has slightly flattened due to a combination of external variables.

• Batter Familiarity: Khan plays in nearly every major franchise T20 league worldwide. The constant exposure allows international batters to develop methods to counter his variations.
• Pitch Conditions: The surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is relatively quick. Khan relies heavily on hitting the pads or securing bowled dismissals; a faster pitch reduces those specific opportunities.
• Post-Injury Pace: Returning from a recent back injury may have taken a toll on the pace and zip of his deliveries.

Despite these factors, Bangar emphasized that Khan remains highly effective, consistently picking up two to three wickets per match while maintaining an economy rate under eight runs per over.

Gujarat Titans Core All-Rounders

The Gujarat Titans will need to balance these components as they prepare for the new season. By maximizing the BCCI Impact Player rule and redefining player roles, the franchise aims to replicate its early IPL success.