IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans SWOT Analysis

The Gujarat Titans have been one of the most consistent franchises in the tournament since they made their debut in 2022. A title in that very season, and again making the finals and an Eliminator 1 exit in the next three seasons has cemented them as one of the frontrunners for the coveted IPL trophy. 

In this article, we take a look at the SWOT analysis of the 2022 Indian Premier League champions Gujarat Titans ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season 

Strength

The Gujarat Titans’ biggest strength lies in their formidable top 3. Young Sai Sudharshan led the line with 759 runs in 15 innings last season – winning the Orange Cap as well. Skipper Shubman Gill also scored 650 runs while Jos Buttler scored 538 in 13 matches before leaving the tournament due to international commitments. 

Besides, their consistency in this tournament speaks for itself. Sai Sudharshan in his breakthrough season (2023) scored 362 runs in just eight innings at an average of 51. In his first full season the following year, the 24-year-old scored 527 in 12 innings. However, the Tamil Nadu batter took his game to a different level last season, amassing 759 runs at an average of 54+ while batting at a strike-rate of 156. 

Similarly, both Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler have shattered records in their best individual seasons in this tournament – with Gill scoring 890 runs in 2023 and Buttler scoring 863 runs in the previous season. Thus, with three potential Orange Cap candidates in their top 3 – it’s no surprise they are consistently vying for the top honour every season. 

That said, while batters win you matches, bowlers win you tournaments. And in that aspect, GT have one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament. Lanky speedster Prasidh Krishna won the Purple Cap last season after taking 25 wickets in 15 outings with assistance from Sai Kishore and Mohammed Siraj who took 19 and 16 wickets, respectively. 

Afghan wizard Rashid Khan had a season to forget last time out but after a very good international calendar where he looked in good rhythm, the GT management will be hoping for a lot more from their spin specialist. Besides, the addition of Jason Holder alongside South African Kagiso Rabada gives them more options in the international seam bowler department, making this GT attack look more potent. 

Weakness

Gujarat Titans’ lower middle order struggles aren’t something new. This is something that has plagued them since the very beginning. David Miller to some extent filled that void with his experience and clutch performances, however, since his departure, the onus has been on Shah Rukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia to shoulder this responsibility but neither batter has been able to justify the unwavering trust put upon them by the GT management. 

After IPL 2025, Shah Rukh had a decent TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League) but was dropped from his state team during SMAT after scoring just 18 runs in four outings. GT’s specialist finisher Rahul Tewatia also hasn’t had the best of times. The 32-year-old did not play any competitive cricket after IPL 2025. He came back during the Vijay Hazare Trophy but had a disappointing showing with just 69 runs in six matches. 

Thus, with both players woefully out of form and coming into the tournament with very little game time, how GT deals with this situation might make it break their season. 

Opportunity

The departure of Sherfane Rutherford should finally open the door for both Washington Sundar and Glenn Philips to feature more consistently in this GT lineup. 

Both Sundar and Philips were victims of unfortunate injuries and team combinations that restricted their game time significantly. While Sundar played five games for GT last season, Philips warmed the bench for large parts – with GT preferring Rutherford instead  – before a groin injury ruled him out of the tournament. 

Fast forward one year and both Sundar and Philips have become regular starters for their national side with the latter currently playing some of the best cricket of his career. Besides, given both players possess all-round abilities and the remarkable improvement in their batting over the last 12-18 months, both should walk straight into this GT XI. 

Another player who can become an X-factor for GT this season is Jason Holder. Bought for INR 7 crore during this mini-auction, the West Indies all-rounder has the potential to replace Kagiso Rabada as the fourth overseas option for GT. The 34-year-old had an excellent T20 World Cup and his inclusion will solve both their lower order batting problems while giving them a seriously good international T20 bowler. Moreover, upgrading Rabada with Holder only makes sense as the South African hasn’t been at his best in the shortest format for quite some time now. 

Threat

Gujarat Titans’ biggest USP is their formidable top 3. But in the months leading up to the 2026 IPL season, all three have shown signs of vulnerability and a chink in their armour. Skipper Shubman Gill and last season’s Orange Cap winner Sai Sudharshan were struggling for form the last time they played any competitive cricket while wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler is arguably undergoing the leanest patch of his career. 

The Indian ODI skipper Shubman Gill was a part of the T20 squad that won the T20 World Cup, however, following a woeful run of form, the management decided to drop him from the setup altogether. Similarly, after two difficult series against Australia and South Africa, Sudharshan entered the domestic circuit low on confidence. However, the southpaw regained some of his best touch with a half century and then a century in the final two games of SMAT. 

Besides, the brilliance of Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Sai Kishore with the ball carried this team into the playoffs, however, the lack of contribution from the rest of the attack and especially Rashid Khan finally caught up with them. The Afghan T20 skipper took 46 wickets in his first two seasons with GT, however, in the following two seasons, the 27-year-old has just picked up 19 wickets in 27 matches. Thus, for GT to go big, they’ll need Rashid Khan to get back to his best. 

Probable XII: Sai Sudharshan, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Washington Sundar, Glenn Philips, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Kishore (Impact Sub) 

Prediction: 3rd