Shubman Gill (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shubman Gill has the perfect motivation to deliver an outstanding campaign in IPL 2026 after missing out on India’s T20 World Cup squad.Speaking to JioHotstar, Pujara backed the Gujarat Titans skipper to give a strong reply and emphasized that Gill remains a complete multi-format player who can make his way back into India’s T20I set-up this season.
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IPL 2026 should be an audition for India’s next T20I captain “T20 World Cup squad will definitely start Shubman Gill. He is a quality player suitable for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will definitely make his mark in the Indian T20I team. He is leading the Test team and ODI captain as well. He is a multi-format player for the Indian team,” he will have a good scheme in the Indian season. Pujara said.Pujara acknowledged that the omission could bring added pressure, but also described it as a big opportunity for Gill to showcase his growth in the shortest format. He emphasized that improving his score will be key.“There will be some pressure on him because he hasn’t been a part of the Indian team in the shortest format. But at the same time, it’s a great opportunity for him to continue batting the way he has. He has to try to pick up a bit more speed because he’s been working on it. This IPL season is ideal for him to show that he can bat at 150-160,” he added.Explaining why Gujarat Titans could prove to be strong title contenders, Pujara highlighted the consistency and firepower of their top order, which includes Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jose Buttler.“GT look like favorites for the title this season. If you look at their team, the top order of captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jose Buttler is unbelievable. You can’t have a better order than them. These three have scored with amazing consistency. That is their main strength,” he said.He also pointed to the depth provided by the all-rounders, particularly the addition of Jason Holder, while identifying Rahul Tewatia as the side’s main finisher and Shahrukh Khan as a potential game-changer.“The number of all-rounders, especially with the addition of Jason Holder, will further strengthen them. Holder is in great form with both bat and ball and will be happy to contribute in both departments. Rahul Tewatia will be their main finisher. He can jump in a couple of overs if needed, but his primary job is to bat well at number six or seven. Shahrukh Khan will also be a different prospect for his team. completely,” Pujara said.On the bowling front, Pujara underlined the strength of GT’s pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, with experienced reserves and variety in the squad.“When it comes to bowling, their strength is their seamers. Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are their main walk-ons and Ishant Sharma is also on the bench if needed. Ashok Sharma will be released with his fiery pace at some point in the season. Left-armer Luke Wood can replace him well. But if Rabada knows how to do it, Wood hopes to replace him well.” being a strike bowler, he is having a good IPL, all GT fans will be hoping for the same,” he concluded.
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Gujarat Titans will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on March 31. They will then play their first home match against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4, followed by an away match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 8. Their next match is against Lucknow Super Giants on April 12 in Lucknow.
