Ahmedabad: Gujarat Titans head into the Indian Premier League 2026 as one of the most consistent sides in recent years, having reached the playoffs in three of their four seasons and making two finals since their debut in 2022.
With Pat Cummins set to miss the initial phase due to injury, leadership responsibilities will fall on Ishan Kishan, adding an interesting dynamic to their campaign.
Strengths: Explosive top order and balanced bowling
GT’s biggest strength lies in their formidable top three — Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler.
The trio created history last season, becoming the first in IPL history to all score 500+ runs in a single edition. Sudharsan even clinched the Orange Cap, underlining the dominance of the top order.
Their bowling unit is equally impressive. The spin duo of Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore, along with pacer Prasidh Krishna, provides control in the middle overs. Krishna’s Purple Cap-winning performance last season further strengthens GT’s credentials.
Weaknesses: Over-dependence and form concerns
Despite their strengths, GT remain heavily reliant on their top three. The middle and lower order — featuring names like Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan — has not been tested consistently under pressure.
Form is another concern. Gill has struggled recently, even losing his place in India’s T20I setup, while Buttler is coming off a disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign.
Rashid Khan, one of the most reliable T20 bowlers, has also seen a dip in form over the past two seasons, which could impact GT’s middle-over control.
Death overs remain a concern
GT’s fast bowling at the death is another potential weak link. Bowlers have tended to concede heavily in the final overs, an issue that could cost them in tight matches.
Kagiso Rabada, who could have bolstered this area, arrives with underwhelming recent performances, adding to the uncertainty.
Predicted playing XI
- Shubman Gill
- Sai Sudharsan
- If Buttler
- Washington Sundar
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- Sai Kishore
- Jason Holder
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
Conclusion
Gujarat Titans have the core of a title-contending team, with a world-class top order and a strong bowling attack. However, their success in IPL 2026 will largely depend on how their middle order responds under pressure and whether they can fix their death-over struggles.
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