Looking at the IPL 2026 auction, the Gujarat Titans will be entering the scene with a very focused approach rather than a volume-driven one, having INR 12.9 crore at their disposal. The mini auction scheduled for December 16 will not be offensive, as the GT’s main objectives are likely to operate in a well-planned manner, filling only the openings that were created after their measured retentions and exits.
The franchise now has very few places left, so every choice must immediately increase their balance and match-day flexibility. The exit of two foreign all-rounders who bowl pace, Sherfane Rutherford’s movement to the Mumbai Indians as one of the middle-order options and the need for a local seamer have thrown open very specific requirements for the IPL 2026 auction.
The situation is pretty clear that GT’s top priorities are acquiring an overseas middle-order batter who also can bowl part-time, and a specialist death bowler who can make their slog-over economy rate steady.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the types of players the Gujarat Titans (GT) target who meet these requirements.
Good luck
Lungi Ngidi is one of the first choices who is perfectly suited to the GT’s main priorities as a trustworthy pacer with a well-documented success record. Ngidi could be in the mix either as a rotation partner for Kagiso Rabada or as an impact third seamer, and he will then be providing the team with a dual advantage of exposure and flexibility that is not easily found among the overseas quicks.
His argument gets even stronger due to his recent white-ball performance. While allowing runs, Ngidi has been consistently getting wickets and his tally in IPL is at 29 from 16 matches at the rate of 18.24. For a side in need of reliability at the death and penetration through the middle overs, Ngidi is undeniably a smart, high-value GT target at the IPL 2026 auction.
David Miller
The trade of Sherfane Rutherford to Mumbai Indians for INR 2.6 crore was a big move by Gujarat Titans, which benefitted them not only financially but also with one less batsman in their lower middle order. Even though GT can still go for homegrown players like Shahrukh Khan or Washington Sundar batting at No.4, they need an overseas finisher of proven quality badly in that very area where they had a problem last season. The Titans’ performance in the last overs (16-20) of their innings was particularly concerning – a strike rate of 169.64 while they lost a staggering 42 wickets, highest in the tournament.
David Miller thus comes back in the picture as one of the major GT top priorities. The South African has already built a strong legacy with the team, scoring 950 runs in 38 innings at a strike rate of 145.25 during his last contract with them. His experience, composure, and match-winning ability make him almost the best choice for the encouraging conditions of Ahmedabad. The return of Miller will not only give the Titans finishing unit more power but also stability.
Anrich Nortje
After the departure of Gerald Coetzee, one of the top African fast bowlers may now get a place in the GT squad, and that is Anrich Nortje. Nortje was not fit for a large part of the last season, but he has slowly got back into his rhythm and is now fully fit. His ability to take wickets in the powerplay and death overs under pressure makes him just the kind of strike bowler that GT fell short of last year.
With the fitness issues behind him, Nortje will certainly be a contender for the Coetzee role who was initially expected to play as the team’s front-line bowler.
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