Gujarat Titans (GT) parted ways with their marquee signing and captain Hardik Pandya, who made a high-profile return to Mumbai Indians (MI). This was one of the biggest all-cash deals in IPL history amounting to Rs 15 crore as MI secured Pandya’s services once again.
After Pandya’s departure, Gujarat Titans announced opener Shubman Gill as the new captain of the franchise for IPL 2024. While New Zealand’s white-ball skipper Kane Williamson was retained by GT, the franchise opted to give Gill the captaincy.
Speaking about Gill’s appointment on YouTube, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers said that Gujarat Titans missed a golden opportunity to appoint Kane Williamson as the captain. De Villiers said that since Williamson was experienced and had success leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL final in 2018, it was a missed chance not to make him the captain.
“The minute I saw Kane Williamson’s name as a retained player, I thought there was a fantastic opportunity to give an experienced player who has done it before an opportunity to captain for you. Give Shubman Gill the opportunity just to cement in all the formats in Indian cricket and just to have another good season at the IPL,” De Villiers said.
Pandya’s homecoming to Mumbai Indians was made possible after MI traded Cameron Green to the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Green was acquired by MI for Rs 17.5 crore in last year’s IPL auction. Shubman Gill, who topped the run charts in IPL 2023, now finds himself captaining a franchise at the age of 24.
“They decided to throw him in as captain. It may pay off; I am not saying it is wrong. I am saying that it was a great opportunity for Shubman just to learn a little bit and know that the plan is for him to be captain in 2025. Nonetheless, I am excited to watch him perform and lead from the front,” the former RCB star added.
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