Gujarat Titans will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings in Chandigarh on March 31. The Shubman Gill-side will then travel back home to host Rajasthan Royals on April 4 in Ahmedabad before taking on Delhi Capitals away from home on April. GT’s final match in phase one will be against Lucknow Super Giants on April 12 in Lucknow. The Titans made it to the playoffs in the last edition but were knocked out in the Eliminator after losing to Mumbai Indians. The IPL 2026 will begin on March 28 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opener.
While the batting unit put up a great show in the previous edition, GT’s bowling did face some issues as they leaked a lot of runs. If the Titans want to turn fortunes for themselves, the bowlers need to click and moreover, bowl at good economy rates.
Here we take a look at GT’s strengths and weaknesses in IPL 2026.
Strengths of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
Also Read: IPL 2026: CSK’s Injury Woes Compound As Foreign Recruit Set To Miss First Few Matches
Reliable Top-Order
The Gujarat Titans rode on some emphatic batting display especially from the top-order who did bulk of scoring for the side in the last edition of the Indian Premier League. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill played 15 matches and were among the runs consistently. Sudharsan notched up 759 runs for the side while Gill scored 650 runs.
Apart from these two, Jos Buttler hit 538 runs in 13 matches. Though, the England batter’s recent form is surely a concern but he has scored heaps of runs in the IPL and is experienced enough at this level.
𝘑𝘪𝘴𝘬𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘻𝘢𝘢𝘳 🤩 pic.twitter.com/f0xKELr9rA
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) March 20, 2026
Fast Bowling Attack
Prasidh Krishna bagged 25 wickets in 15 matches in IPL 2025 while Mohammed Siraj had 16 to his name in 15 games. GT also have someone like Kagiso Rabada who is known for his express pace. The trio can be lethal on their and have the knack of picking wickets. GT has picked the leading wicket-taker of the latest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ashok Sharma, to join Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Brar and the veteran Ishant Sharma in their power-packed attack. The management’s first choice would be Ishant but if he leaks runs then they can look towards Arshad or Ashok.
𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐭. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐭 💥 pic.twitter.com/MxCQXcNVCt
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) March 20, 2026
Weaknesses
Middle-order Batting
While the top three have fired in the previous edition, Gujarat Titans’ middle-order is surely a problem. Having lost their leading run-scorer outside the top-3, Sherfane Rutherford to the Mumbai Indians, GT have to fill the gap with Glenn Phillips, who is a formidable batter at 4 or 5 and has done well in India recently.
BTS but make it wholesome 🫶💙 pic.twitter.com/82KAqhzi3W
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) March 19, 2026
But the problem lies with someone like Shahrukh Khan in the ranks. From playing for India to even getting dropped from his state team, Shahrukh has been struggling with form for quite some time. GT do have someone like Anuj Rawat who has enough experience and had a good time with the bat in Delhi Premier League (DPL) along side Jharkhand wicket-keeper batter Kumar Kushagra. The Titans can also use Washington Sundar as a floater and have to rely on Rashid Khan to fire cylinders lower down the order.
The balance in the middle-order surely holds the key for Gujarat Titans in this edition.
Probable Playing XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Jos Buttler (WK) (O), Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips (O), Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada (O), Prasidh Krishna, Rashid Khan (O)
Impact Player: Ishant Sharma
Also Read: RCB IPL 2026 Squad Analysis | Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats And Predicted Playing XI
