Strongest GT playing XI for IPL 2026
The 2022 edition Champions, the Gujarat Titans, are in search of their first IPL trophy under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. Gujarat Titans surprised everyone by winning the IPL title in their first year under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. In their second year as well, the team reached the final, where they had to face defeat on the last ball against CSK. However, after Hardik Pandya rejoined the Mumbai Indians, the performance of the Gujarat team has not been anything special in the last two seasons.
In 2024, the team failed to reach the playoffs, having been eliminated from the Eliminator in 2025. Shubman Gill became the captain of India's Test and ODI teams last year and is also being seen as India's next T20 captain. In such a situation, Shubman would like to win his first IPL title as captain. Gujarat Titans added only 5 players to their squad this time in the auction. They added Jason Holder for 7 crores, Tom Banton for 2 crores and Luke Wood for 75 lakhs. They also bought talented uncapped players like Ashok Sharma and Prithvi Shaw in the auction.
Gujarat Titans appear to have a strong squad on paper. The team's batting line-up includes batters like Skipper Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, Tom Banton, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat and Shahrukh Khan. The team also has international all-rounders like Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore. Washington Sundar and Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore will also be seen handling the spin department of the team. Apart from these, the GT squad also has some talented uncapped all-rounders, which include the names of Nishant Sandhu, Manav Suthar, and Arshdad Khan.
GT also boasts a formidable pace bowling attack, including experienced bowlers like Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Luke Wood. If this team plays to its potential, GT could win its second title this season.
The team management may not have to think too much while making the playing XI. The team can once again go with the same playing XI as last year. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will open the innings. After this, Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, and Washington Sundar will feature in the middle order. Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and Rashid Khan will be responsible for finishing. Rashid Khan will also handle the spin department along with Sai Kishore and Sundar. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna will be the three pacers.
As per the IPL 2026 first phase schedule, the Gujarat Titans will start their campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 31 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur. After this, they will fly to their home ground, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, to play against the Rajasthan Royals on April 4. After this, they will take on the Delhi Capitals at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on April 8, and Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow, on April 12.
Strongest GT playing XI
Shubman Gill ©
Sai Sudharsan
Jos Buttler (wk) (✈)
Glenn Phillips (✈)
Washington Sundar
Shahrukh Khan — Impact player
Rahul Tewatia
Rashid Khan (✈)
Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore
Kagiso Rabada (✈)
Mohammed Siraj
Prasidh Krishna
