Are Gujarat Titans Too Safe to Win IPL 2026?

Gujarat Titans (GT) are entering IPL 2026 with almost the same team as last season. After the exit of Hardik Pandya, the team is now fully under the leadership of Shubman Gill. But even with this change, one thing is clear, GT is still trying to find a more attacking identity.

At the auction, GT did not make big changes. Their top order remains the same with Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler. Instead of bringing new star players, they focused on backup options and squad depth. Tom Banton was added as a backup for Buttler, while Jason Holder came in as an all-round option. They also strengthened their fast bowling with players like Luke Wood, Prithvi Raj and Ashok Sharma.

This shows that GT are not looking to change their style, but rather continue with what they already have. The problem is that this same style has some clear weaknesses.

GT’s top order is very consistent, but they start slowly. Last season, their powerplay run rate was only 8.55, which was among the lowest in the league. They did not lose many wickets early, but they also did not score quickly. This puts pressure on the middle order later in the innings.

And that is where GT has struggled the most. Over the last two seasons, their middle order (No. 4 to 7) has had the lowest average in the IPL, just 21.08. In earlier years, players like Hardik Pandya and David Miller handled this phase well, but now that strength is missing.

GT’s bowling and spin game is still strong. They lost only 20 wickets to spin last season, which is one of the best records in the league. Their batters are comfortable against spin and can score at a strike rate of over 150. This remains one of their biggest advantages.

However, there are some concerns about bowling too. Rashid Khan has not been as effective as before, and GT’s overseas bowlers had the weakest numbers in the league last season in terms of average and strike rate.

The biggest factor for GT this season will be Shubman Gill. There is no doubt about his consistency. Since 2023, only Virat Kohli has scored more runs than him in the IPL. But the main question is his strike rate and intent in T20 cricket.

Gill was also left out of India’s T20 World Cup squad, so he has a big chance to prove himself. If he plays more aggressively, it could completely change GT’s approach this season.

Another interesting player to watch is Kumar Kushagra. He may not start in the playing XI, but his domestic form has been excellent. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he scored at a strike rate of over 160 and averaged more than 60. If GT’s middle order continues to struggle, he could become an important option.

GT also have flexibility in their playing XI, with options like Glenn Phillips or Tom Banton in the middle order, and a choice between Kagiso Rabada and Jason Holder in bowling. But too many options can also create confusion in team balance.

One key match to watch will be GT vs Mumbai Indians. It will be a battle between Gill and Hardik Pandya, and also a chance for GT to take revenge after losing to MI in last year’s Eliminator.

In the end, Gujarat Titans are still a strong and balanced team. But their biggest challenge is not talent — it is mindset. They need to play more aggressively, especially in the powerplay and middle overs.

If they continue with a safe approach, they may struggle again. But if Gill leads with more intent and the middle order improves, GT can become a serious title contender in IPL 2026.

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