Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan. Image Credits: Twitter

As Gujarat Titans (GT) are gearing up for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, Aakash Chopra picks Mohammed Shami in the place of Rashid Khan to finish as the GT’s likely to be most successful bowler this season. While Shami in the last season surpassed Rashid in the wicket-taking list for defending champions.

While the Indian pacer picked up 20 wickets at an economy of 8.00, the Afghanistan leg-spinner accounted for 19 dismissals while conceding an average of just 6.59 runs per over in IPL 2022.

Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022
Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. Image Credits: Twitter

Aakash Chopra reckons Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami top performers for GT-

“Highest run-scorer – Shubman Gill/Kane Williamson. You have to stay at the top – Shubman Gill to be the highest run-scorer for the Gujarat franchise. Highest wicket-taker – your mind might be saying Rashid Khan but I am not going towards Rashid Khan because he gets less wickets. Mohammad Shami could be their highest wicket-taker,” said former Indian cricketer.

In IPL 2022 for GT, Gill was the Titans’ second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2022. With his 483-run aggregate, he was just short of four runs in comparison to skipper Hardik Pandya’s tally of 487 runs.

“There is nothing lacking in bowling. This is Ashish Nehra’s team. They have gathered bowlers wholeheartedly. In the bowlers’ list, you have Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Darshan Nalkande, Noor Ahmed, R Sai Kishore, Pradeep Sangwan, Yash Dayal, Jayant Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Joshua Little and Shivam Mavi,” further added by Chopra.

Earlier, Former Indian Cricketer Aakash Chopra believes defending champions Gujarat Titans have a very slim chance to retain the title in IPL 2023. Gujarat Titans, who made their debut in IPL 2022, defeated the Rajasthan Royals in last season’s final to win their maiden title.

Former Indian opener Chopra, who is part of Jiocinema for IPL 2023, was not much confident about Gujarat Titans’ chance in IPL 2023 but feels they have a team who can make it playoffs to for the second time in a row.
Gujarat Titans will be in action on the very first day of the competition (March 31) as they begin their title defence against Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.