Gujarat Titans

• Strengths

Most of the focus will be on their captain Shubman Gill, who replaces Hardik Pandya at the top this season. Gill doesn’t have much experience in leading teams at the highest level but the presence of coach Ashish Nehra will be of great help. Nehra said he was “very excited to see how Gill operates”.

Gill is also one of their key batters, having scored 1373 runs at a strike rate of 147.79 in the last two years of the tournament — they won the 2022 edition, the Titans’ debut season under Hardik’s leadership. Batting coach Gary Kirsten too believes captaincy is a good step up for him.

While they will miss the injured Mohammed Shami, they can benefit from the presence of Sai Kishore, who has been in terrific form in the domestic circuit.

David Miller and Rahul Tewatia have been excellent finishers for GT in the last two seasons. The franchise is also betting on their foreign recruits Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai and Tamil Nadu all-rounder Shahrukh Khan.

• Weaknesses

It remains to be seen how well the team copes with the absence of Hardik and Shami. There is also the fear that captaincy might put Gill under additional pressure. However, the Impact Player rule may work in their favour.

• X-factor

Gill remains the one player who can make a lot of difference at the top order. If he gets going, the Titans will have the perfect launch pad. Rashid Khan’s four overs will also be crucial along with his batting prowess.

• Key signings: Umesh Yadav, Shahrukh Khan, Spencer Johnson, Azmatullah Omarzai and Kartik Tyagi

• Last year: Runners-up

• Best finish: Champions 2022

Rajasthan Royals

• Strengths

The Sanju Samson-led franchise has failed to live up to the expectations despite having a solid batting line-up, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer forming the core, besides the captain.

Jaiswal had a fabulous season last year — 625 runs in 14 matches — but the franchise finished fifth to narrowly miss out on a playoffs berth. It prompted a Team India call-up for young Jaiswal and the rest, as they say, is history. Riyan Parag, who has had a terrific domestic season, and recent Test debutant Dhruv Jurel — who could make a case for himself for a place in the World Cup squad if he does well — will add firepower to their batting.

The presence of head coach Kumar Sangakkara will be a big boost and don’t rule out innovative strategies or an unconventional batting line-up.

The Royals’ bowling, especially their spin combination, is quite intimidating in Indian conditions. Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin will be their first-choice spinners while Trent Boult will lead the pace attack. He will be supported by Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen and Navdeep Saini.

• Weaknesses

Inconsistent performances from Royals’ batters have been their bane. Samson and Buttler need to be at their best if they have to end their 15-year title drought. Hetymer will also need to fire in the middle order.

• X-factor

Jaiswal remains their best bet to provide a rollicking start to the innings. Success at the international level has given the 22-year-old the perfect exposure and he will be keen to continue in the same vein.

• Key signings: Rovman Powell, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Nandre Burger.

• Last year: Fifth

• Best finish: Champions 2008