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Gujarat Titans [Source: AFP]
IPL 2026 is all set to begin and the one-time champions Gujarat Titans head into the season with a stable core built around captain Shubman Gill. After a rollercoaster 2025 season that saw them finish third in the league stage and then suffer a heartbreaking exit in the Eliminator, the Gujarat Titans enter IPL 2026 with a strong sense of unfinished business.
The franchise retained the bulk of its squad, including key players such as Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Jos Buttler. In addition, they made targeted additions like Ashok Sharma and Jason Holder during the mini-auction.
As a result, the Titans appear well balanced across departments. The team will begin their campaign against Punjab Kings on March 31. So, let us take a look at the list of players who might struggle to get games for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.
IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans players who can be bench warmers
Anuj Rawat
Anuj Rawat was retained by Gujarat Titans for 30 lakh ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The Delhi wicketkeeper-batter, however, might not make it into the Gujarat Titans playing XI this season.
Notably, the Gujarat Titans have plenty of batters in the squad, and Jos Buttler is expected to handle the wicketkeeping duties. Therefore, Anuj Rawat may have to wait for his opportunity during the tournament.
It is important to note that Anuj Rawat struggled in domestic cricket recently. In the SMAT 2025, he scored only 45 runs in five innings with a strike rate of 128.57 and an average of 15.00.
Meanwhile, he does have IPL experience, having played 21 innings and scoring 318 runs with a strike rate of 119.10. However, considering the abundance of established batters in the squad, there is a strong possibility that he might once again spend most of the season on the bench, similar to last year.
Also Read: Shubman Gill Throws Shade At Gautam Gambhir, Gets Smashed By Fans Online
Tom Banton
Tom Banton is another player who might not get many opportunities this season. The English wicketkeeper-batter was bought for 2 crore by the franchise at his base price during the IPL 2026 auction.
In recent times, his performances have been slightly underwhelming. During the T20 World Cup 2026, Tom Banton scored 155 runs in eight innings with a strike rate of 137.17 and an average of 22.14. These numbers are decent, yet not outstanding enough to guarantee a spot in a strong overseas lineup.
Moreover, the overseas player limit allows only four players in the playing XI. Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, Rashid Khan, and Kagiso Rabada already occupy important roles in the team.
Consequently, Tom Banton might find it difficult to secure a place in the starting lineup unless there are injuries or rotation policies during the tournament.
Ishant Sharma
Third on the list is Ishant Sharma. The experienced pacer might also struggle to get game time in IPL 2026. Notably, Titans retained the right-arm quick for ₹75 lakh ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, which shows the team still values his experience.
However, his recent performances in domestic cricket have not been very impressive. In the SMAT 2025, he managed to take only three wickets in three innings with an economy rate of 9.74.
In the Delhi Premier League (DPL 2025), he went wicketless in the only game he played. Meanwhile, in the last IPL season, he took four wickets in seven innings with an economy rate of 11.18.
Breaking into the Gujarat Titans playing XI remains a tough challenge due to the team’s squad composition. The team already has several pace options available, including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Kagiso Rabada.
Hence, considering the abundance of bowling options, Ishant Sharma’s chances of regular selection appear limited.
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin Joins IPL 2026
