Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons the Gujarat Titans have an incomplete team for the upcoming IPL 2026. Shubman Gill’s team had qualified for the playoffs in the previous season and they were at their best, especially in the first half of the league phase.
Ashwin said GT should be praised for the way they have handled themselves since the departure of their former captain, Hardik Pandya. Pandya led GT to glory in IPL 2022, and the team ended as runners-up in IPL 2023 under his captaincy.
Meanwhile, GT traded out Sherfane Rutherford and Gerald Coetzee ahead of IPL 2026 mini-auction. For the 2026 IPL season, the Gujarat Titans strengthened their squad by acquiring Jason Holder (₹7 Crore), Tom Banton, Luke Wood, and Ashok Sharma in the auction.
“When Hardik was there, they had an X factor in the middle order. They had an all-rounder who can bowl, and can finish as well. Ever since he has left, there has been a huge hole there. The way they have managed to recover after such a player left, they should be praised. Their recipe for success is the fact that they select a team based on their home ground conditions. They want to dominate their home turf. This time, there is more emptiness in this team,” R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
GT number three Jos Buttler is not in the best of form as he had a quiet T20 World Cup 2026 for England. Ashwin questioned GT’s backup plan if Buttler fails to regain his lost form.
“Jos Buttler is at such a stage in his career where I think he is searching a little bit. The way he was playing in the T20 World Cup, it looked like he was playing down the wrong line. That is a matter of serious concern to me. If Jos Buttler does not have a good season, then which way will they turn to? I think Glenn Phillips is a good option, so how long will it take them to look in that direction?” R Ashwin questioned.
Ashwin wants New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips to get more chances in the playing XII for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. Phillips has so far played only eight IPL matches.
“Glenn Phillips can bat, bowl, and can also sometimes keep wickets. He drops a few catches at times, but that can happen to anybody. The standard he has set is so high that it feels weird whenever he drops a catch. This guy also flies flights. Can you believe it? GT take chartered flights everywhere when they are travelling between cities, so this guy can do anything. He has not got many chances in the IPL. The way he handled Varun Chakaravarthy, there is enough credentials to show that Glenn Phillips is an improved batter. I hope he gets a good run with GT this year at Ahmedabad, this wicket will suit him,” Ashwin said.
Gujarat Titans will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings at Mullanpur on 31st March.
