Ashish Nehra described the INR 7.4 crore auction purchase as GT's 'star player' after Hardik Pandya's departs for IPL 2024

According to Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra, Shahrukh Khan will be a crucial player in the lower-middle order as a finisher during the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Nehra has successfully developed young players on the team in recent seasons. However, managing these inexperienced players under new skipper Shubman Gill will be a challenge for Nehra in IPL 2024. The franchise needs to find an ideal replacement for Hardik Pandya in both the batting and bowling departments.

Ashish Nehra has been an impressive head coach for Gujarat Titans in the last couple of seasons.

The 2022 IPL champions spent a lot of money in the IPL 2024 Auction to sign some young talents who can fill the big shoes. Despite his underwhelming record in the last couple of seasons for Punjab Kings in the IPL, Shahrukh was signed for a whopping INR 7.4 crore.

The Tamil Nadu batsman has only scored 426 runs in 33 IPL matches, averaging 20.29. He needs to step up for Gujarat in the upcoming season.

Nehra predicts that Shahrukh will play a big role as a finisher for the Titans in the coming season.

Nehra said to a journalist:

"We're going to see Shahrukh Khan become the main actor."

The experienced Indian fast bowler advised that the players must also prioritise their physical well-being as the conditions in May are expected to be challenging.

He hinted that new signings Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai will be crucial for the Titans.

Ace spinner Rashid Khan will have to lead the Titans' bowling attack in the absence of Mohammed Shami. However, Nehra has not yet decided what type of pitches they will prepare for IPL 2024.