The Gujarat Titans have strategically secured a strong core of 20 players heading into the IPL 2026 player auction. This move by the 2022 champions reflects a commitment to continuity and building a stable, competitive squad for the future. Notably, the Titans have retained their star captain Shubman Gill, alongside key performers like Sai Sudharsan and the explosive Jos Buttler. Their retention strategy aims to balance experience with emerging talent, ensuring a robust pipeline that can contribute to Indian cricket’s growth.
In preparation for the auction, the franchise has made some key overseas decisions. Sherfane Rutherford has been traded to the Mumbai Indians, while Gerald Coetzee and Karim Janat have been released. This clears up valuable overseas slots, with the Titans currently having five remaining spots, four of which are for international players. This allows for targeted acquisitions to fill specific team needs, such as a middle-order overseas batter, pace bowling reinforcements, and an all-rounder. Washington Sundar is expected to see an expanded role with the bat following Rutherford’s departure.
The retained squad boasts a mix of established stars and promising youngsters. Alongside Gill, Rashid Khan, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler, the Titans also kept hold of experienced campaigners like Ishant Sharma and Kagiso Rabada. Several players who did not feature last season, including Kumar Kushagra, Nishant Sindhu, and Anuj Rawat, have also been retained, signaling faith in their potential. Glenn Phillips, despite an injury ruling him out of the previous season without playing, remains part of the plans.
With a remaining purse of INR 12.9 crore and five slots to fill, the Gujarat Titans are poised for a calculated approach in the upcoming auction, aiming to fine-tune an already formidable squad for continued success in the IPL.