CVC Capital Partners’ Gujarat Titans will be a happy side as proceedings from Day 1 of the IPL mega auction come to an end. The Gujarat-based franchise picked Hardik Pandya ( 15 crores), Rashid Khan (15 crores), and Shubman Gill ( 7 Crores) before the start of the mega-event. After declaring Hardik Pandya as their captaincy candidate, the Gujarat-based franchise entered with a purse of 53 Crores.
Gujarat already had a top-order Indian batter, a fast-bowling all-rounder, and a champion leg spinner in their squad. The auction was about building a team around those core players. One of the two new franchises, Gujarat, made smart, calculative, and economical buys and came out with a clear strategy.
Mohammed Shami (Bought for INR 6.25 crore)
Gujarat’s first notable pick of the day was India’s enforcer in chief Mohammed Shami (6.25 crore). This came as no surprise as Gujarat needed a lead fast bowler. The franchise faced some tough competition but they were able to secure Shami’s services after a brief arm-wrestle. A multi-faceted bowler, the cricketing world saw a resurgence of Shami post-2018 where he picked up scalps at the front and death alike and became the leader of the pack for his previous franchise Punjab Kings.
Read More: Tata IPL 2022 Auction Live Updates: Players Sold, Unsold, Purse Remaining & Full Team Details
Lockie Ferguson (Bought for INR 10 crore)
A bowling lineup that now had Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami was further bolstered with the addition of Lockie Ferguson. Ferguson possesses an uncanny ability to generate pace off any track. His stocks have risen a lot in the last couple of years and the express pacer made it to every team’s bucket lists.
Jason Roy (Bought for INR 2 crore)
With the bowling department and the all-rounder's department looking secure Gujarat bagged Jason Roy for just two crores. Before the start of the auction, teams usually make a list of skill-set that they desire, and aggressive top-order batter inarguably features on that list. This is because of the simple reason that teams need to capitalize on the powerplay and accumulate quick runs early on. Jason Roy fits that bill, and when you get all that for just two crores it is a steal.
Other Notable Inclusions: Rahul Tewatia, R Sai Kishore
Gujarat Titans Pre-auction picks: Hardik Pandya (15 Cr), Rashid Khan (15 Cr), Shubman Gill (8 Cr)
Auction signings
Batsmen & Wicketkeepers: Jason Roy (2 Cr), Abhinav Sadarangani (2.6 Cr)
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami (6.25 Cr), Lockie Ferguson (10 Cr), Noor Ahmad (0.30 Cr), R Sai Kishore (3 Cr)
All-Rounders: Rahul Tewatia (9 Cr)
Purse Remaining: 18.85 Cr
Squad strength: 10 (6 - Indian, 4 - overseas)
Gujarat has done rather well for themselves and the squad is shaping up nicely. Starting day two, they will be on the hunt for a wicket-keeper batsman, but with all the regular ones gone, it remains to be seen who they will shortlist for their squad.
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