IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra analyses Gujarat Titans squad

Cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra feels that the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) could have done a better job at the recently concluded mini-auction in Kochi by signing an experienced India batter.

GT signed seven players at the much-anticipated IPL auction on December 23. They have signed former Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson and also acquired the likes of Joshua Little, Shivam Mavi and Mohit Sharma for the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League. 

However, former cricketer Aakash Chopra believes that they should have gone after Mayank Agarwal at the auction. Chopra stated that they have a decent squad but lack an experienced Indian batter. The 45-year-old also mentioned that the franchise could have gone after Manish Pandey as well.

“The team was okay earlier and is okay now as well. There was no big Indian name available in batting. They didn't go towards Manish Pandey. They would have probably got him if they had gone. I thought they will go after Mayank Agarwal. The team would have gotten stronger if they had gone after him,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

They are almost the same as last year: Chopra

The former India international believes that Titans haven’t strengthened themselves more and are almost the same as last year. After letting Lockie Ferguson leave for Kolkata Knight Riders, the franchise wanted to focus on their pace line-up and as per Chopra, that’s the brand of cricket they want to play in the upcoming season.

“You could have got two Indian openers but they didn't go in that direction. They have strengthened their fast bowling, that's the kind of cricket they want to play. Have they become a stronger team after the auctions? I will say they are almost the same as last year,” Chopra added.

In the meantime, the Titan’s head coach Ashish Nehra has already confirmed that they already have a plan for Kane Williamson. The franchise tried multiple players at the number three position in the previous edition but none of them could prove themselves. Thus, Nehra revealed that the Kiwi white-ball skipper Williamson will most likely be taking up the role and Hardik Pandya will be seen batting at number four.