While several teams made headlines with aggressive bidding at the IPL mini auction, Gujarat Titans chose a calmer and more calculated path. And according to head coach Ashish Nehra, that was exactly the plan. The 2022 champions walked into the auction with a purse of Rs 12.9 crore and left satisfied after strengthening key areas without unnecessary drama.
Compared to franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans kept things low-key. They added five players to their squad, focusing on balance rather than big names. Fast bowler Ashok Sharma was their first signing after his impressive run as the leading wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The franchise also picked up West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder for Rs 7 crore, English wicketkeeper-batter Tom Banton for Rs 2 crore along with Prithvi Raj and Luke Wood at modest prices.
Ashish Nehra explained that the team’s approach was shaped by the fact that most of the core squad was already in place. With 20 players retained, there wasn’t a need to overhaul the lineup. What mattered more was filling specific gaps, especially in the fast-bowling department. He pointed out that the extreme heat during the IPL season often makes fast bowlers a valuable and limited resource, even for training sessions. That made adding pace options a priority.
The coach admitted that the auction started quietly for Gujarat but things picked up in the later stages once the right players became available. He wasn’t surprised that experienced names like Jason Holder attracted higher bids, especially after some players went unsold initially before triggering bidding wars later. For Gujarat, however, securing Jason Holder was worth the investment. Ashish Nehra highlighted the all-rounder’s experience, leadership qualities and ability to contribute with both bat and ball as major positives.
Nehra was equally pleased with the signing of Tom Banton who brings international experience and aggressive batting to the squad. While Gujarat already have strong wicketkeeping options including established names in their setup, Nehra stressed the importance of depth. In a long tournament with a 25-member squad, having multiple batting options can make all the difference.
In the end, Gujarat Titans may not have dominated headlines but Ashish Nehra’s calm confidence suggests that the franchise got exactly what it wanted, a well-rounded squad built on planning, patience and purpose.
