Afghanistan Star Azmatullah Omarzai Tipped as Hardik Pandya’s Replacement at Gujarat Titans for IPL 2024
Former Indian cricket team all-rounder Irfan Pathan has suggested that Afghanistan star Azmatullah Omarzai could be a potential replacement for Hardik Pandya at Gujarat Titans in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Gujarat Titans face a challenging task of finding a suitable replacement for Pandya, who recently returned to Mumbai Indians in a sensational trade.
Omarzai showcased his all-round abilities in the Cricket World Cup 2023, amassing 353 runs and taking 9 wickets in 9 matches. Pathan believes that Omarzai’s skills make him a good all-rounder option for the Gujarat Titans. With Rashid Khan already in their ranks, the team would be able to make the most of Omarzai’s talents.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan expressed his thoughts on the Gujarat Titans’ situation. “Looking at the Gujarat Titans, they are missing out on Hardik Pandya. Obviously, they are missing out on a leader and a guy who can actually do both bat and ball equally, really well. Who is there at the auction table?” he questioned.
Pathan further added, “I see Azmatullah Omarzai going to Gujarat Titans because he is a perfect fit. We have Rashid Khan there as well, who can actually get the best out of his countryman. Apart from an all-rounder, they require a proper fast bowler there. They need to go for that extra pace, and they have a good purse available.”
In addition to Omarzai, Pathan also suggested that the Gujarat Titans should consider acquiring pacer Harshal Patel, who has been released by Royal Challengers Bangalore. Pathan highlighted the team’s need for a reliable fast bowler, especially considering the injury-prone nature of some of their current players.
“They have a lot of fast bowlers who can get injured regularly, guys like Deepak Chahar. They keep a lot of faith in Deepak Chahar but if he is not fit and available, they can be in a mess. So what they need – maybe a guy like Harshal Patel. Bangalore is not far from there, so just get Harshal Patel with a small ride of five hours, and just get him in CSK,” Pathan suggested.
The Gujarat Titans will have to make strategic decisions during the IPL 2024 Auction to fill the void left by Hardik Pandya’s departure. With the guidance of Irfan Pathan and the potential additions of Omarzai and Patel, the team aims to maintain its competitive edge in the tournament.
Topics mentioned in this article: Indian Premier League, IPL 2024, Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya, Azmatullah Omarzai, Irfan Pathan, Rashid Khan, Harshal Patel.
