Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans (GT) are now under severe pressure in the ongoing Tata Indian Premier League 2026 (Tata IPL 2026). After the embarrassing 99-run defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) in their home match on April 20, questions are being raised on some key players who did not perform well when the team needed them most.
The crushing defeat has made their position worse as they drop to sixth place in the IPL 2026 points table with six points from six matches so far this season. And now former India cricketer Manoj Tiwari has suggested a change in the batting order for GT to make a strong comeback.
Manoj Tiwari demands Rahul Tewatia’s ouster from Gujarat Titans
Former Indian batsman turned politician has pointed fingers at Rahul Tewatia after his 8-run innings against Mumbai Indians despite coming in as an impact player for GT in Ahmedabad. Rahul was retained by the franchise for ₹4 crore, but he proved to be their biggest flop this season.
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So far, Rahul has scored only 49 runs in 6 innings at an average of 24.50 and strike rate of 116.67. He has not faced more than 11 balls so far this season, putting pressure on the rest of the players in the GT line-up. Due to continuous poor performance, Tiwari wants Rahul to be dropped from the Titans team.
Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan will have to repay GT’s trust: Manoj Tiwari
The cricket pundit also suggested that Gill and Ashish Nehra consider showing the way out to Shahrukh Khan, who is a big disappointment for Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2026. So far, he has been able to score only 35 runs in 6 matches at an average of 11.67 and strike rate of 140.00.
Manoj Tiwary on Cricbuzz said, “You have to leave out either Rahul Tewatia or Shahrukh Khan because there have been so many matches. Today was a golden opportunity. Aap jo match jitaayen de Sharjah mein 5 chakka marke marke woh bhool gaye hain log (People have forgotten that you won the match by hitting five sixes in Sharjah). Only a few people remember that. Now, people only remember how you played in your last innings.” Both of them were held at a high price, so they will have to repay that trust.”
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Mohit Sharma questions GT’s Rahul Tewatia’s move; suggests two bold steps
Meanwhile, former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma feels that Anuj Rawat could have been a better option than Tewatia in that situation. He also pointed out that Glenn Phillips has failed to make an impact this season, scoring 67 runs in five innings.
Considering this, Jason Holder should be a good option for Gujarat Titans. The former CSK star wants Holder to replace Phillips in Gujarat Titans’ playing XI for the upcoming match against RCB in Bengaluru on April 24.
Mohit Sharma said during the same discussion, “I think Anuj should have come. At that time there were 12 overs left. He has to think how he will use these things.”
He said, “They could have considered Jason Holder in place of Glenn Phillips. Glenn Phillips is not looking in form and if you look at his records, he has not played an impressive innings in any league so far. He plays well for New Zealand and hits big sixes, but he missed an opportunity here.”