4 overseas players who will start for Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2025

Gujarat Titans (GT) are entering the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a focus on replicating the success of their 2022 and 2023 campaigns, where they finished as champions and runners-up, respectively, compared to their 8th-place finish in the previous season.

They revamped their squad during the mega auction, prioritizing the signing of low-profile talents who have already made a significant impact on the field. There has been a strong emphasis on investing in domestic Indian talent, with players like Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Sai Kishore among the key acquisitions. 

The overseas contingent is also well-equipped, with players signed for specific roles. Of the seven overseas players, four are likely to start from Game 1 for GT in IPL 2025.

Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan has been the most successful player for Gujarat Titans in their three-year history. The world-class all-rounder has delivered match-winning spells with the ball and has also played crucial innings with the bat. He is the only GT bowler to have taken 50+ wickets in the IPL so far, with a total of 56 wickets in 45 innings.

With the bat, he has scored over 300 runs, including several crucial 30+ run cameos, which have played a key role in finishing games and posting big totals. As a fielder, he has also taken the most catches for the side, with 23 catches across three seasons. The three-dimensional skills he brings to the team will undoubtedly make him the first overseas pick in the playing XI.

Jos Buttler

Gujarat Titans invested heavily in signing England T20I captain Jos Buttler, who became the most expensive overseas signing at 15.75 crores in the IPL 2025 Auction.

The reason behind the significant investments is Buttler's ability to fill the roles of both opener and wicketkeeper, a position GT had been relying on in the past three seasons with Wriddhiman Saha, who was in the twilight of his career.

The Ahmedabad conditions are expected to suit Buttler's batting style, as he has scored 317 runs in eight innings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, averaging 52.83, with two fifties and a century. He will be the perfect opening partner for Shubman Gill, as both players bring a similar approach to the game.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada has been easily the most successful overseas pacer in IPL since his debut in 2017. The South African pacer was one of the fastest bowlers to take 100 wickets in IPL. He has taken 117 wickets in 80 innings at a stellar strike rate of 15.5.

He has shown consistency across the seven seasons as he has taken wickets regularly and has maintained a good economy and bowling strike rate across the seven editions. His stinks of four seasons with Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) were good as he took 76 and 41 wickets for both these sides, respectively.

With the likes of Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and fellow countryman Gerald Coetzee, Rabada can be the enforcer of the bowling lineup with Siraj, Prasidh, and Rashid attacking from the front. 

Sherfane Rutherford

Sherfane Rutherford has easily been the most improved batter in white ball cricket post the 2024 IPL. The 26-year-old Guyana southpaw has been the destructor in the middle order as he has come in and accelerated the innings in the final overs.

He has come in at #5 or #6 and has attacked both spinners and pacers in scoring valuable runs for the team in the final overs. He also has shown the capacity to stitch good partnerships with tailenders. 

Coming into the GT side, he will be expected to play a role similar to that of Shimron Hetmyer in Rajasthan Royals (RR). He will have the support of anchors like Gill, Buttler, and Sudharsan at the top of the order. In the middle order, he will have Shahrukh Khan, Mahipal Lomror, and Rashid Khan, players he can rely on to build quick and valuable partnerships.