After a promising run in IPL 2025, the Gujarat Titans narrowly missed out on a spot in Qualifier 2 following their loss to Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. Despite a solid campaign and a third-place finish
in the league stage, the franchise fell short of replicating their 2022 title-winning heroics.
As the team looks ahead to the IPL 2026 auction, management is expected to make a few tactical changes to strengthen the squad and address key weaknesses.
While Gujarat are unlikely to overhaul their core lineup, some retained players from the 2025 season might face the axe as part of a reset to make room for new signings. In the last retention window, GT had retained Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan.
However, with a few underwhelming performances in IPL 2025, both Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan could find themselves on the release list ahead of the 2026 auction.
Rahul Tewatia, once known for his match-finishing heroics, endured a disappointing 2025 season. Scoring only 99 runs in 12 matches at an average of 12.37 and failing to bowl even a single over, the all-rounder could not make an impact with either bat or ball. Retained for ₹4 crore, Tewatia's lack of contributions may prompt Gujarat's think tank to part ways with him and look for a more dynamic all-round option.
Shahrukh Khan, on the other hand, was retained by GT for his finishing prowess and ability to shift momentum late in the innings. However, the 2025 season did not go as planned for the hard-hitting right-hander. He accumulated just 179 runs, with one fifty, averaging below 30. Though his strike rate of 179 reflects intent, GT would be hoping for greater consistency from a player in the lower order.
In addition to Tewatia and Shahrukh, players like Kusal Mendis, Washington Sundar, and Sherfane Rutherford may also face release as Gujarat look to recalibrate their balance for the upcoming season. The Titans are expected to retain their core trio - Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, and Sai Sudharsan - while focusing on fresh signings to reclaim their championship form in 2026.
