Batters Gujarat Titans should retain for IPL 2026 ft. Jos Buttler

A year ago, Gujarat Titans (GT) were being written off. Hardik Pandya was gone, the aura seemed dented, and questions hung over Shubman Gill’s ability to lead. By the end of IPL 2025, they had answered all of that with a top-four finish and one of the most consistent batting units in the competition. GT’s top order finished with three of the top 15 run-getters of the season, a statement that their batting engine still runs just fine.

They have a different approach, as GT don’t go gung-ho from ball one. As openers, GT have two modern-day anchors in Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who take risks but not wild ones. Jos Buttler remains the biggest X-factor as GT struggled when he left for international duty last season.

Now, as the retention deadline approaches, the franchise faces predictable calls: who to back, who to release, and who’s been carried by the brand. With ten batters in their books, here’s a closer look at who deserves another season in the blue and gold.

Gill, Sudharsan, Buttler obvious choices

Gill was not only the captain; he was also GT’s ballast. He scored 650 runs in 15 innings with an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 155.87, and he often set the pace at the top. He didn’t turn any of them into a hundred, but his six fifties came in games that GT won. Being the face of the franchise, Gill’s association with the franchise should be extremely long and fruitful.

Sai Sudharsan was arguably the most improved Indian batter in the league last season. With 759 runs at 54.21 average and 156.17 SR, including a 108*, Sudharsan became GT’s batting heartbeat. He was criticsed for being a slow T20 batter but his template is what GT really yearns for. He is tailor-made for them and Rs 8.50 crore is a steal for someone like Sudharsan, who is not only the present but future too.

With 538 runs at a 59.77 average and 163.03 SR, the foreign heavyweight finally had a season that warranted his price tag. Buttler’s presence gave GT’s top order stability and elevated the starts that Gill and Sudharsan gave. It’s an easy choice; despite his expense (Rs 15.75 crore), elite foreign hitters are invaluable when they perform at this level.

GT need Rutherford, Phillips and Lomror

Left-handed power-hitters are rarity in the market. Ask RR, who cannot let go of Shimron Hetmyer for the same reason. While Sherfane Rutherford’s form may have declined a bit since the IPL 2025, he is a class act. Now a regular in the West Indies T20I team, Rutherford can change the game in a go. Quietly one of the most effective finishers in 2025, scoring 291 runs at 32.33 avg and 157.29 SR. He didn’t produce viral moments but routinely closed innings efficiently. For ₹2.6 crore, that’s daylight robbery.

Similarly, GT barely got to use him due to injury, but Glenn Phillips remains a T20 Swiss army knife. He remains an explosive middle-order option, part-time keeper, livewire fielder. If he’s fit, he’s worth double that price of Rs 2 crore. Among Indians, GT have two more lefty options in Mahipal Lomror and Anuj Rawat. Both have the experience of playing in the IPL and can be great backups. Rawat, in particular, had a terrific DPL 2025, where he led the East Delhi Riders and made 329 runs at an average of 41.13 and 158.94 SR.

Batting options that GT can retain

Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Phillips, Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat

Batters GT should let go

Shahrukh Khan – ₹4 crore
He had flashes with one fifty (57 off 31) but 179 runs in 11 innings at that price isn’t sustainable. GT retained him ahead of the mega auction but Shahrukh is yet to prove his worth. Rs 4 crore can be used wisely elsewhere.

Karim Janat – ₹75 lakh
Barely used and unlikely to fit in GT’s all-rounder balance. Funnily, the only over he bowled last year saw him get hit for 30 runs against RR’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Janat had a terrible Asia Cup 2025 as well, scoring a mere 9 runs in 3 innings.

Kumar Kushagra – ₹65 lakh
Has promise, but GT already have Anuj Rawat and domestic keeping depth. It’s best to release him and revisit him later.

Gujarat Titans IPL 2025 squad

Shubman Gill (c) (₹16.50 cr), Sai Sudharsan (₹8.50 cr), Jos Buttler (₹15.75 cr), Sherfane Rutherford (₹2.60 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).