Gujarat Titans' Strategic Moves at IPL Mini Auction
Gujarat Titans' Coach Reflects on Auction Success
Ashish Nehra, the head coach of Gujarat Titans (GT), expressed his contentment following the team's performance at the IPL mini auction held on Tuesday. The 2022 champions entered the auction with a budget of ₹12.9 crore. Compared to other franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, GT's auction was relatively low-key. The team successfully acquired five players: Ashok Sharma (₹90 lakh), Jason Holder (₹7 crore), Tom Banton (₹2 crore), Prithvi Raj (₹30 lakh), and Luke Wood (₹75 lakh).
Key Players Acquired by GT
The first selection for GT was Ashok Sharma, a fast bowler who topped the wicket-taker list in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Additionally, the franchise secured the talented West Indian all-rounder Jason Holder. Despite interest from Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans successfully acquired Holder for a significant ₹7 crore.
Nehra's Insights on Team Strategy
In his remarks about the auction, Nehra conveyed satisfaction with the team's approach, emphasizing their retention of 20 players and the enhancement of their pace attack by adding four fast bowlers, which is crucial for the hot conditions of April and May. "We are very pleased overall. Retaining 20 players made this a smaller auction for us. Importantly, we secured four fast bowlers, which is essential given the heat during the season," Nehra stated in a video shared on social media by the Gujarat Titans.
Praise for New Signings
Nehra also highlighted his satisfaction with the acquisitions of Jason Holder and English wicketkeeper-batter Tom Banton, praising Holder's leadership and Banton's ability to hit big. "We got what we aimed for. The first half of the auction was quiet, but we were pleased with the second half. We anticipated that Jason would command a high price. His experience and leadership make him a valuable addition to our squad," Nehra remarked.
"Both Tom Banton and Jason Holder can contribute significantly with the bat. We are thrilled to have Banton, who has experience with the English team. While we already have players like Jos Butler and Anuj Rawat, it's always beneficial to have more options in a squad of 25," he concluded.