NE SPORTS BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, FEB 20
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, Gujarat Titans became the first IPL team to use the metaverse to unveil the logo.
𝗦𝗮𝗯 𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙤 𝗸𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗮 𝗱𝗼!😀#GujaratTitans pic.twitter.com/tuQp13Nhhw
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) February 20, 2022
Head coach Ashish Nehra, captain Hardik Pandya and opener Shubman Gill were virtually present in the metaverse (a virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment) to unveil the logo on Sunday, February 20.
The Titans logo has a triangular design with a dark blue background with ‘Gujarat’ and “Titans’ on display in a 3D format.
🏃🏃♀️Step into the Titans Dugout! ▶️ Watch our stars unveil the logo in the metaverse! ⭐ ▶️ https://t.co/dCcIzWpM4U#GujaratTitans pic.twitter.com/9N6Cl6a3y4
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) February 20, 2022
“Our DNA is about reaching the top and always moving upwards. There is Gujarat’s kite which is not just our passion but it is larger than life. Our motto is to share energy and unlimited power. We stop at nothing,” captain Hardik, in the metaverse, said before the launch of the logo.
The much-anticipated team logo takes inspiration from the shape of a ‘Kite’ that soars up and high in the sky, reflecting the team’s urge to scale new horizons of endless possibilities. As kite-flying is an integral part of Gujarat’s cultural heritage with festivities like the Uttarayan festival, the logo reflects the rich cultural heritage and legacy of the state, the basis on which the team’s foundation is built upon.
The logo also features a ‘bolt of lightning’, symbolizing the sheer energy and the immense power to illuminate even the darkest of the skies in a split second, which in the context of the team, will stand for their determination to turn adversity into triumph.
One of the two new teams to be added to the IPL this season, Gujarat Titans will be led by India all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Apart from skipper Hardik, the franchise has purchased eight more all-rounders, including Rahul Tewatia, for a whopping Rs 9 crore.
Gujarat picked Hardik (Rs 15 crore), Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan (Rs 15 crore) and Gill (Rs 7 crore) as their draft picks ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, which was held earlier this month.
Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra had said he is pleased with the strong, all-round squad of the franchise making their maiden appearance in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Gujarat Titans squad also includes hard-hitting English opener Jason Roy, Australia’s wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, senior India pacer Mohammad Shami and New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson.
It remains to be seen whether Hardik will be able to bowl for Gujarat in IPL 2022 but head coach Nehra said he will be more than happy to have the all-rounder as a pure batter. Hardik has not bowled regularly in competitive cricket due to recurring back injury concerns. He hasn’t played since the T20 World Cup last year.
Full squad
Retained players: Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya and Rashid Khan
Players bought at Auction
Jason Roy, Mohammad Shami, Lockie Ferguson, Abhinav Sadarangani, Rahul Tewatia, Noor Ahmad, R Sai Kishore, Dominic Drakes, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Pradeep Sangwan, David Miller, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, Gurkeerat Singh.
