Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans won the IPL in their very first season in 2022 under Hardik Pandya's captaincy and reached the final again in 2023. No script writer would have dared pen such an outcome for a brand-new franchise.

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the world's largest cricket ground with a capacity of 132,000, is GT's home. Playing at the world's biggest stadium gives every home match an epic quality. When the Titans take the field in front of a six-figure crowd, the scale is breathtaking.

GT's 2022 title was built on Pandya's all-round brilliance and Rashid Khan's leg-spin mastery. The franchise's approach was refreshingly simple: pick versatile players, trust them completely, and create a culture where everyone fights for each other. It worked immediately.

Shubman Gill's elevation to captain represents a new era for the Titans. Gill is one of the most elegant batters in Indian cricket, and his leadership potential has been evident since his junior cricket days. The transition from Pandya's aggression to Gill's classical approach adds a new dimension to the franchise.

The Titans' immediate success created a blueprint that future expansion franchises will study. Their 2022 auction strategy, focusing on versatile all-rounders rather than expensive specialists, challenged conventional wisdom. The Narendra Modi Stadium has already hosted an IPL final, international matches, and the T20 World Cup 2026 final, its world-record capacity making every GT home match feel like an international event. The franchise's brand has grown rapidly across Gujarat, drawing fans from Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and the wider state.

For 2026, GT look to recapture the magic of their inaugural season. The world's largest stadium awaits, and Ahmedabad's growing cricket culture provides passionate support. International fans can catch matches at 19:30 IST, which converts to 14:00 GMT for London, 10:00 AM EDT for New York, and 01:00 AEDT for Sydney. Check Ahmedabad time and India time for your local conversion.