Not just IPL 2026 retention, Gujarat Titans to give Washington Sundar a batting promotion as well

At last, the Gujarat Titans (GT) will give Washington Sundar the respect he deserves. After mistreating him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the 1-time champions will include Washington in their core group and hand him a permanent batting position.

Washington Sundar to become a core GT member

According to the Times of India, GT captain Shubman Gill and head coach Ashish Nehra won’t tinker with their core group other than including Washington. After bagging the all-rounder for just 3.20 crore, GT didn’t use him properly. He batted just 5 times and bowled a mere 65 deliveries.

However, in the last few months, Washington has shown the mistake GT had. Across formats, the all-rounder has stellar performances for Team India, with both bat and ball. Even before his 23-ball 49 against Australia in Hobart, Nehra had decided to retain Washington.

That’s the reason why GT didn’t trade him to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as a potential replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin. It won’t be a shock to see Washington bat at number 4 next season. The 5 times he batted last year were in that position, and he ended up with a strike rate of 166.25.

GT to retain Glenn Phillips

Coming to the retention bit, GT aren’t expected to release many players. Since they have already traded Sherfane Rutherford to the Mumbai Indians (MI), they will look for a middle-order batter in the IPL 2026 auction. GT will retain most of their pacers, and most of their releases will be uncapped Indian players.

Lastly, GT will retain Glenn Phillips. The New Zealand all-rounder had injured himself last season, but at INR 2 crore, he’s a great commodity. They’ll stick with him for now.

Gujarat Titans squad before IPL 2026 retention deadline

Shubman Gill (c) (₹16.50 cr), Sai Sudharsan (₹8.50 cr), Jos Buttler (₹15.75 cr), Shahrukh Khan (₹4 cr), Rashid Khan (₹18 cr), Rahul Tewatia (₹4 cr), Washington Sundar (₹3.20 cr), Glenn Phillips (₹2 cr), Mahipal Lomror (₹1.70 cr), Karim Janat (₹75 lakh), Nishant Sindhu (₹30 lakh), Sai Kishore (₹2 cr), Jayant Yadav (₹75 lakh), Kagiso Rabada (₹10.75 cr), Mohammed Siraj (₹12.25 cr), Prasidh Krishna (₹9.50 cr), Gerald Coetzee (₹2.40 cr), Ishant Sharma (₹75 lakh), Kulwant Khejroliya (₹30 lakh), Manav Suthar (₹30 lakh), Arshad Khan (₹1.30 cr), Gurnoor Brar (₹1.30 cr), Kumar Kushagra (₹65 lakh), Anuj Rawat (₹30 lakh).