IPL 2023: 3 Interim Replacement Options of Joshua Little

In recent news, Joshua Little, an overseas paceman for the Gujarat Titans (GT), will not be available for the team’s next three games in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) season. Little has already left the GT camp after their last match against the Rajasthan Royals to join the Ireland team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, which is scheduled to start on May 9, 2023. This means that Little will miss a few games for GT during the remainder of the IPL 2023 season.

During the IPL 2023 auction, GT acquired the services of the Irish cricketer for a whopping INR 4.40 Crore. Since his IPL debut for the Titans this year, Little has played eight games, taking six wickets at an economy rate of 8.21. Despite the absence of Little, the Gujarat Titans are expected to be high on confidence as they come into this game following an impressive 9-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals in their previous T20 tournament encounter. Currently, GT is at the top of the points table, with seven wins and three losses in the IPL 2023 season.

In summary, Little’s absence will be a big loss for the GT team, but they have performed well in the season so far, and their recent victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) will likely boost their morale for the upcoming games. Due to his absence for the next three games, we will need to consider potential replacements for his position in the playing XI as he was a regular member of the team.

IPL 2023: Here Are Five Players Who Can Replace Joshua Little in GT’s Playing XI:

3) Shivam Mavi

Despite a forgettable season with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2022, Shivam Mavi was purchased by the Gujarat Titans, the reigning IPL champions, for a hefty sum of INR 6 crore in the IPL mini-auction last year. However, he proved his worth by delivering some fantastic performances for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking 10 wickets in seven games at an impressive economy rate of 6.64. Mavi also shone in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022, where he claimed 14 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 4.15.

Mavi is a prodigious talent who, like Joshua Little, can be a game-changer in the powerplay overs. His performance in domestic T20 leagues is a testament to his potential, and the Gujarat Titans will be hoping that he can replicate his domestic success in the upcoming IPL. Mavi’s raw pace and ability to move the ball make him a formidable bowler, and his consistent performances in domestic tournaments suggest that he is primed for a breakout season in the IPL. Teams don’t necessarily need to replace a foreign player with another foreign player, and in this regard, Mavi can be an excellent option for the team.

2) Odean Smith

During IPL 2022, Odean Smith struggled to deliver consistent performances for the Punjab Kings (PBKS), taking just six wickets in six matches at an expensive economy rate of 11.87. However, at the IPL 2023 Auction, Gujarat Titans signed him for INR 50 lakh, which proved to be a great signing. Smith has yet to feature in a game this season, but his form in various T20 leagues over the year suggests that he can make an impact if given a chance. The Titans have a strong finishing department and they have added Odean Smith to their already impressive finishers’ group.

Smith, a hard-hitting West Indian batter, can also bowl four overs of pace. While his performances tend to vary between outstanding and ordinary, his ability to hit boundaries at will and bowl at high speeds make him a valuable addition to the team. Smith could be a dangerous option for the team during the middle and death overs, and his excellent use of the hard length with the ball could prove useful. Additionally, he can also score crucial runs with the bat.

1) Alzarri Joseph

At the onset of the tournament, the defending champions had included Alzarri Joseph in their plans. During the course of this year’s competition, he appeared in five games and took seven wickets. However, his performance was somewhat inconsistent, and as a result, he was left out of the team. The team’s management made a conscious decision to rely on Joshua Little’s left-arm pace as their key overseas pace bowler, and the emergence of Afghanistan’s spin bowling star, Noor Ahmad, made it unlikely for Joseph to return to the playing eleven.

Nevertheless, with Little unavailable now, Joseph is the leading contender to step into his shoes. One of Alzarri Joseph’s defining characteristics is his exceptional raw pace, which sees him consistently hit the 145 kmph mark. Coupled with his height and high arm action, he can be an intimidating presence for batsmen when he is in form. He introduced himself to the IPL when he took figures of 6-12 on his debut for the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the young age of 22.