Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra picked the final playing 12 for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. Despite his stellar performance in the T20 World Cup 2026, he chose Glenn Phillips over West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder.
Gujarat Titans retained a total of 20 players ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. They bought fast bowlers Ashok Sharma, Tom Banton, Prithviraj Yarra and Luke Wood in the mini-auction. However, his best choice remained West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder.
Having revealed their weakness as their top order has not been in good form this time around, the top three has done the majority of the scoring for the Titans last season. Buttler scored 500+ runs, Gill scored 600+ runs and finally Sai Sudarshan was the top scorer with 750+ runs.
“So I am retaining the No. 4 position as a floater at the moment,” Aakash Chopra said.
Former Indian player Aakash Chopra picks the possible playing combinations of Gujarat Titans in the upcoming edition of IPL 2026. He has retained the number. Fourth position in the team led by Shubman Gill as a floater.
“If I look at this team’s XI, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudarshan and Jos Buttler will start as the top three. Kumar Kushagra is coming in with great form. Shah Rukh Khan is there as an option. He may get a new role for Washington Sundar at No. 4. So I am maintaining the No. 4 position as a floater at the moment,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
This wicketkeeper batsman from Jharkhand is performing brilliantly in the domestic tournaments and there is a possibility that he can make a place in the Gujarat Titans team. He could be vital to the middle-order, especially when Sherfane Rutherford is no longer a part of the Titans squad.
Aakash Chopra chose Glenn Phillips over Jason Holder
Talking about the middle order, Aakash Chopra felt that Glenn Phillips, who has been a part of the Titans team but could not play a single game, should finally be dropped this season. He chose Glenn Phillips in place of players like Jason Holder in the middle order, as the Titans will be looking for players who can help stabilize the middle order.
“If you put Glenn Phillips at No. 5 and then Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, then Shahrukh, Anuj Rawat, Arshad Khan and Sai Kishore can all be in the list of impact players.
He said, “Jason Holder can actually play ahead of Glenn Phillips, but my vote is for Glenn Phillips because given Buttler’s form the top three probably won’t be able to do what they did last year.”
Phillips came in handy in the middle order, while Jason Holder showed some remarkable skill to finish the innings. While it will be important for Phillips to keep the middle order together, the Titans lack a player who can give them a strong finish.
Aakash Chopra picks the highest run-scorer and wicket-taker for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026
The cricketer turned commentator said that Shubman Gill could be the highest wicket-taker for him in 2026. On the other hand, he predicted that not Prasidh Krishna, but Mohammed Siraj or Rashid Khan would be the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
“Who can be the leading run-scorer for Gujarat Titans? I think it will be Shubman Gill once again. Who can take the most wickets? It can’t be Prasidh Krishna for two years in a row. So either Mohammed Siraj or Rashid Khan,” Chopra said.
Prasidh Krishna was the leading wicket-taker last season with 25 wickets; On the other hand, Sai Sudarshan was the leading run-scorer with 759 runs at a strike rate of 156.17.
Although Aakash Chopra felt it was very difficult to successfully repeat last season’s formula, Gujarat Titans with their fast bowling unit comprising of spinners Rashid Khan and Sai Kishore can still win the middle overs battle.
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