The year 2025 marked a significant turning point in Shubman Gill’s career. He took over as India’s ODI and Test captain and also served as the team’s vice-captain, though he ultimately missed out on a place in the T20 World Cup squad. As a result, when Gill steps out for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026, he is expected to be wiser, more mature and much more aware of the game as he has passed an important stage in his leadership journey.
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Gill is the Titans’ highest run-scorer in IPL history and remains their only batsman to have scored more than 2,000 runs. But he is still unfinished as a captain. After a disappointing 2024 campaign in which Gujarat failed to qualify for the play-offs, Gill began to show signs of growth as a leader in 2025, with the Titans at one stage looking favorites to finish as top-flight.
However, the Titans lost their last two league matches, dropped out of the top two and were then eliminated by Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. Still, 2026 brings a new opportunity. With experience leading Team India at the highest level, this is Gill’s chance to prove that he can be as effective a captain in the IPL as he has been as a batsman.
IPL: STRENGTHS OF GT
GT’s greatest strength lies in their balance between top-order stability and bowling depth. Their top order looks among the strongest in the league, with Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill being prolific scorers over the years, making GT one of the most reliable opening pairs. Add Jose Buttler at No.3 and GT has a trio that offers consistency as well as explosive power.
They have also roped in Tom Banton, a proven performer in T20 cricket, further strengthening their batting unit. Jason Holder adds even more balance to the lineup with the experience and pedigree he brings.
Their second main asset is a quality, flexible bowling attack. Prasidh Krishna won the Purple Cap last season with 25 wickets while Mohammed Siraj added 16 wickets to give GT a strong Indian pace. Kagiso Rabada and Rashid Khan provide wicket-taking options in the overs, medium and death overs.
GT can go tempo or spin depending on the conditions, which is a huge tactical advantage over a long tournament. Rashid, along with Washington Sundar and R Sai Kishore, also form a strong spin attack for the Titans.
The third strength is continuity. GT has retained a strong core and with a proven foundation plus additions like Jason Holder, they look like one of the most complete units on paper for IPL 2026.
IPL: WEAKNESSES OF GT
Gujarat Titans’ biggest weakness heading into IPL 2026 is their over-reliance on the top order. In IPL 2025, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill carried a significant share of GT’s batting load and the Titans often looked vulnerable when their top three didn’t fire. Former India opener Abhinav Mukund also pointed out that expecting GT’s top order to replicate last season’s performance may be unrealistic, meaning the middle and lower middle order will need to contribute much more consistently this year.
Their second major problem is a lack of proven middle-order consistency. During IPL 2025, GT Nos. 4 to 7 had the worst average of any middle order in the tournament at one stage, revealing a clear structural weakness in the batting line-up. The departure of Sherfane Rutherford, who provided impact in the middle order last season, added to those concerns. GT will now likely rely on options like Glenn Phillips or Tom Banton, both talented players but not guaranteed solutions in that role.
The third weakness is the uncertainty surrounding Rashid Khan’s recent IPL returns. The Afghan spinner hasn’t looked his dominant best in the past few seasons. He averaged 36.70 in IPL 2024 and 57.11 in IPL 2025, taking just 19 wickets in his last 27 IPL matches. Aakash Chopra also termed Rashid’s recent IPL form as a problem, noting that he has looked unusually ineffective in the last two-three seasons – something that could become a serious problem for Gujarat Titans if it continues.
GT FULL SQUAD FOR IPL 2026
GT IPL 2026 Retention
- Shubman Gill (Rs 16.5 crore)
- Sai Sudharsan (Rs 8.5 crore)
- Jos Buttler (Rs 15.75 crore)
- Kumar Kushagra (Rs 65 lakhs)
- Anuj Rawat (Rs 30 lakhs)
- Rashid Khan (Rs 18 million)
- Rahul Tewatia (Rs 4 million)
- Shahrukh Khan (Rs 4 crore)
- Washington Sundar (Rs 3.2 billion)
- Glenn Phillips (Rs 2 million)
- Nishant Sindhu (Rs 30 lakh)
- Manav Suthar (Rs 30 lakhs)
- Jayant Yadav (Rs 75 lakhs)
- Mohammed Siraj (Rs 12.25 crore)
- Prasidh Krishna (Rs 9.5 crore)
- Kagiso Rabada (Rs 10.75 crore)
- R Sai Kishore (Rs 2 million)
- Arshad Khan (Rs 1.3 million)
- Gurnoor Brar (Rs 1.3 million)
- Ishant Sharma (Rs 75 lakhs)
GT IPL 2026 Auction Purchases
- Jason Holder (Rs 7 crore)
- Tom Banton (Rs 2 million)
- Ashok Sharma (Rs 90 lakhs)
- Luke Wood (Rs 75 crore)
- Prithviraj Yarra (Rs 30 lakhs)
GT INJURY NEWS
Prithviraj Yarra has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Titans signed Kulwant Khejroliya as his replacement for Rs 30 crore.
GT: 3 PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan was outstanding for the Titans last season, winning the Orange Cap with 759 runs in 15 matches. The left-hander averaged 54.21 at a strike of 156.17, registering one century and six fifties. He was one of the key reasons Gujarat Titans made it to the playoffs and their fortunes this season may once again depend heavily on how strong Sudharsan starts.
If Buttler
Jos Buttler remains one of the most dangerous batsmen in IPL history with seven centuries to his name. While he endured a lean patch recently and struggled for rhythm during the T20 World Cup, where England cruised to a semi-final exit, it does little to diminish the threat he poses. With his vast experience and proven success in Indian conditions, Buttler is still the type of player who can take the game away from the opposition in the matter of overs.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan’s T20 record remains a staggering 702 wickets in 519 matches, with the 1,000-wicket milestone in sight in the coming years. That alone underlines the threat he poses every time he steps into the attack. However, he endured a sub-par 2025 season, struggling for control and unable to secure regular breakthroughs. He will be eager to rediscover his rhythm soon and make life difficult for the batsmen again. And as always, Rashid can be just as dangerous with the bat in hand.
GT EXPECTED PLAY XI
Estimated XI (Batting First): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Impact Player: Ishant Sharma
Predicted XI (Bowling First): Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Impact Player: Shahrukh Khan
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
26 Mar 2026 08:57 IST
