Gujarat Titans: From Debut Champions to IPL Powerhouse
From newcomers to champions in just one season – the Gujarat Titans have etched their name in IPL history with remarkable speed and style. Established in 2021 and making their debut in 2022, this Ahmedabad-based franchise stunned the cricketing world by clinching the IPL trophy in their inaugural season under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. Now led by the talented Shubman Gill and coached by Ashish Nehra, the Titans continue to build on their impressive legacy with a formidable squad featuring international stars like Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan.
As the IPL’s newest sensation prepares for the 2025 season, we take you behind the scenes of this cricket powerhouse that calls the world’s largest cricket stadium – the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium – their home. Join us as we explore the Titans’ meteoric rise, examining everything from their founding story and leadership to their current squad composition and future prospects in the world’s most competitive T20 league.
Team History and Foundation
Establishment in 2021 and ownership structure
The Gujarat Titans (GT) are a professional cricket franchise based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, that entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2021. The team was created following an invitation to tender for new teams in August 2021, marking the beginning of a fresh chapter in IPL history. Despite initial skepticism about their auction strategies and team formation, the Gujarat Titans quickly proved their worth in the competitive landscape of the IPL.
Acquisition by CVC Capital Partners and Torrent Group
CVC Capital Partners won the rights to operate the Ahmedabad franchise with a substantial bid of ₹5,625 crore (approximately $660 million). The ownership structure has evolved over time, with Torrent Group now holding a majority stake of 67%, while CVC Capital Partners retains 33% ownership. This partnership brings together significant financial backing and business expertise to support the franchise’s growth and competitive ambitions in the IPL.
Home venue: Narendra Modi Stadium
The Gujarat Titans call the Narendra Modi Stadium their home ground—a venue that stands as the world’s largest cricket stadium with an impressive capacity of 132,000 spectators. Located in Ahmedabad, this massive stadium provides the Titans with a formidable home advantage and allows them to connect with a vast fanbase during their matches. The stadium’s grandeur reflects the team’s ambitions in the IPL, providing a world-class facility for players and fans alike.
What makes the Gujarat Titans’ foundation story remarkable is their immediate success in the IPL. Unlike many new franchises that take time to establish themselves, the Titans made history by winning the IPL championship in their debut season in 2022 under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy. They topped the group stage with a win-loss record of 10-4 and secured the title by defeating Rajasthan Royals in the final.
Now that we have covered the team’s historical foundation and their impressive beginning in the IPL, let’s explore the leadership structure and management team that contributed to the Gujarat Titans’ early success in the next section.
Squad 2025
Gujarat Titans Squad – IPL 2025
Captain: Shubman Gill
Batsmen & Wicketkeepers:
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- Jos Buttler
- Glenn Phillips
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Anuj Rawat
- Kumar Kushagra
All-rounders:
- Rahul Tewatia
- Shahrukh Khan
- Sai Sudharsan
- Washington Sundar
- Mahipal Lomror
- Jayant Yadav
- Karim Janat
- Nishant Sindhu
- Manav Suthar
- Arshad Khan
Bowlers:
- Rashid Khan
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Gerald Coetzee
- Ishant Sharma
- Kulwant Khejroliya
- Gurnoor Brar
- Sai Kishore
👥 Gujarat Titans Support Staff – IPL 2025
- Director of Cricket: Vikram Solanki
- Head Coach: Ashish Nehra
- Batting Coach: Parthiv Patel
- Spin Bowling Coach: Aashish Kapoor
- Fast Bowling Coach: Naeem Amin
- Fielding Coach: Narender Negi
- Wicketkeeping Coach: Matthew Wade
- Strength & Conditioning Coaches: Sachin Rana, Darren Veness
- Performance Analyst: Sandeep Raju
- Head Physiotherapist: Rohit Sawalkar
- Physiotherapist: Gaurav Sharma
- Team Manager: Satyajit Parab
- Lead Masseur: Rahul Kumar
- Masseur: Manish Sharma
- Team Doctor: Dr. Rizwan Khan
Performance and Achievements
Having explored the foundation of Gujarat Titans, let’s examine their remarkable performance trajectory in the IPL.
A. 2022 IPL Championship in Debut Season
Gujarat Titans made an extraordinary entrance into the IPL by claiming the championship in their very first season in 2022. Under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, the team showcased exceptional performance, topping the group stage with a remarkable win-loss record of 10-4. Their debut season success culminated in defeating the Rajasthan Royals in the final to secure their first IPL title. This accomplishment was particularly impressive considering the initial skepticism surrounding their auction strategies.
B. 2023 Season as Runners-up
Building on their debut success, Gujarat Titans continued their strong performance in the 2023 season. They qualified for the playoffs for the second consecutive year, demonstrating remarkable consistency. The team finished atop the points table once again, winning 10 or more matches for the second straight season. However, they fell short of securing back-to-back championships, finishing as runners-up after losing to the Chennai Super Kings in the final.
C. Overall IPL Win Percentage of 62.75%
Since their inception, Gujarat Titans have established themselves as one of the most consistent performers in the IPL. Their overall win percentage stands at an impressive 62.75% across their IPL matches. The team became the first in IPL history to win 10 or more matches in each of their initial two seasons. Additionally, they are among only six teams to achieve 12 or more victories, including playoffs, in a single season.
Under Hardik Pandya’s leadership, the team achieved a remarkable record of 22 wins in 31 matches. Their consistent performance at the top of the points table in their first two seasons highlights their strategic excellence and competitive spirit in the tournament.
With such impressive achievements in their short history, attention now turns to the current squad composition that continues to represent Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
The Gujarat Titans have established themselves as a formidable force in the Indian Premier League since their inception in 2021. From winning the championship in their debut season to finishing as runners-up in 2023, the franchise has consistently demonstrated competitive excellence. Under the leadership of captain Shubman Gill and coach Ashish Nehra, the team has built an impressive win percentage of 62.75% across their IPL journey.
Conclusion
Looking ahead to the IPL 2025 season, the Titans have assembled a powerhouse squad featuring international stars like Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada, and Rashid Khan. With their home matches played at the world’s largest cricket stadium—the Narendra Modi Stadium—and the backing of owners Torrent Group and CVC Capital Partners, the Gujarat Titans are well-positioned to continue their legacy of success in Indian cricket. Fans can expect exciting performances as this relatively young franchise works to add more silverware to their already impressive collection.