The Gujarat Titans (GT) are gearing up for the upcoming IPL season with a mix of star players and strategic additions, aiming to improve on their third-place finish last year. One key change is the addition of Tom Banton, who will compete with Glenn Phillips for the middle-order role. Phillips, with his all-round skills, is likely to be the first choice, but Banton's recent form cannot be ignored.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the balance GT needs to strike between their overseas players. With Jos Buttler and Rashid Khan as strong contenders, the team might have to make tough decisions, potentially benching Kagiso Rabada or leaving out one of the middle-order batters.
GT's recruitment of former Australia batter Matthew Hayden as batting coach and former India wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya as assistant coach adds an interesting dynamic to the team. Hayden's experience and expertise could be a game-changer for the Titans, especially with their focus on the middle order.
Looking at the likely best XII, one thing that immediately stands out is the reliance on their top-order batters. Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler combined for an impressive 72.54% of GT's total runs in IPL 2025. However, their recent form in T20Is raises concerns, especially Buttler's average of 20.4 in 2026.
In my opinion, the middle order will be the make-or-break factor for GT. Despite their strong top order, the team has struggled to find consistency from their middle batters in the last two seasons. The addition of Banton and Phillips could be the solution, but it remains to be seen if they can fill the void left by Hardik Pandya.
Another area of concern is the team's economy rate and wicket-taking ability in the powerplay. GT had the third-worst economy rate and took the third-fewest wickets in the powerplay last season. With Rabada back in action, they will hope for a better showing in the first six overs.
Finally, Rashid Khan's form in the IPL is a cause for reflection. His performance last season was a far cry from his usual standards, and GT will be hoping for a resurgence.
Overall, the Gujarat Titans have a strong core, but they need to address their middle-order and powerplay issues to challenge for the title. With the right strategy and a bit of luck, they could be a force to be reckoned with in IPL 2026.
