GT's IPL auction plan: Prime targets and likely top buys predicted for 2026 season

GT was knocked out of the Eliminator in 2025. [Source: shortarmjab77/X.com]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction is upon us, and the full list of players set to go under the hammer on December 16 has been released by the board, where some exciting options will be available in the market, as teams look to fill in the gaps in their respective squads.

The 2022 champions and 2023 runner-ups, Gujarat Titans (GT), looked like a pretty settled unit in the 2025 season under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, where they reached the playoffs, but got knocked out at the hands of the five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Eliminator.

With two seasons left in the cycle before the next mega auction, they have not tinkered a lot with their existing roster; however, the trades and some gaps, which were seen in the previous season, will need some fixing. Here's a comprehensive look at the GT squad, their requirements and who could be their potential targets.

GT retention list for IPL 2026

Role distribution of GT's retained players

• Top order batters: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk)
• Middle order batters: Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat (wk), Kumar Kushagra (wk)
• Lower-middle order: Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu
• Pacers: Mohammed Siraj, Arshad Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Brar
• Spinners: Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Manav Suthar

GT IPL 2026 auction budget and overseas slots

The 2022 IPL champions have Rs. 12.90 INR to spend in the mini-auction for IPL 2026. After the trade of Sherfane Rutherford and the releases of three other stars, they will have four overseas spots to fill in the event.

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GT IPL 2026 IPL squad: What are the gaps to fill?

How GT's expected XI looks like

Shubman Gill (c)
Sai Sudharsan
Jos Buttler (wk)
Washington Sundar
Glenn Phillips
Shahrukh Khan
Rahul Tewatia
Rashid Khan
Sai Kishore
Arshad Khan
Mohammed Siraj
Prasidh Krishna

GT proved to be a top-heavy side in the IPL 2025 season, where Sai Sudharsan (759 runs) won the orange cap, while captain Shubman Gill was the fourth-highest run-getter in the season. The duo is settled at the top, followed by Jos Buttler, who scored 538 runs in 13 innings, at a strike rate of 163.03, to complete their top-order.

The numbers 4 and 5 are up for grabs, but Washington Sundar was one of the successful experiments that was used at 4 by GT in the back-end of the tournament. They also have an option of Glenn Phillips, who can slot in at 5 and add power to their middle-order.

Their bowling attack will be led by Mohammed Siraj and Rashid Khan, while Prasidh Krishna, Arshad Khan and Sai Kishore will be their support case. Ishant Sharma has also been used as an impact player whenever an opportunity has presented itself.

Areas to address for GT in IPL mini auction

A powerful finisher

• With Sherfane Rutherford's trade to the Mumbai Indians (MI), the Titans have left a big hole in their middle-order. The Guyana batter enjoyed his best IPL season in 2025, scoring 291 runs in 11 innings, striking at 157.29 after some good starts from their top 3.
• While they have Shahrukh Khan at their disposal, heading into the auction, the finisher had lost his spot from Tamil Nadu, scoring only 18 runs in 4 innings.
• Currently, Washington Sundar and Rahul Tewatia are the options from their last playing XI, who can play that role, with Glenn Phillips emerging as another strong contender.

Indian middle-order batter

• As mentioned above, the top-heavy GT line-up was seldom exposed during the previous season, where they reached the eliminator. Their middle order was tested during the eliminator vs MI, when Buttler was unavailable, and their middle order couldn't score big and chase the target set by MI.
• With Rashid, Buttler and potentially Rabada/Phillips in the mix, they should ideally look at some Indian options at the auction to bat alongside Washington Sundar in the middle overs, if needed.

Death bowler(s)

(GT pacers' economy rate in over 16-20 in IPL 2025)

• With Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack, predominantly with the new ball, GT has needed to rely on Prasidh, alongside Ishant Sharma in the death in some matches. While Prasidh did well in 2025, they should add someone with proven death bowling prowess to bowl alongside him.
• Apart from Prasidh's 9.94 economy, none of their pacers bowled at an economy of under 10 in 16-20 overs in 2025.

GT IPL 2026 auction prime targets: Whom the Super Kings are likely to go after?

1. David Miller

• The former GT player could be a prime target who could return to the Narendra Modi Stadium and slot back in at his 5/6 spot, as per the team's requirements.
• In his three seasons with the Titans, he scored 950 runs in 38 innings, averaging 45.23, at a strike rate of 145.25. He is still their third leading run-scorer behind Gill and Sudharsan.
• Notably, his record as a finisher in IPL death overs boasts 1058 runs, averaging 30.2 and a strike rate of 173.4

2. Sanvir Singh

• The former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) player has been in some hot form lower down the order in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, chipping in with crucial runs for Punjab at a quick rate.
• He scored 160 runs in 7 innings of the league phase of the SMAT, at 183.90, and his batting form could come in handy for GT and can also be used as a part-time bowler, if needed. 
• With just a 30L base price, he can also be a budget option, who can be used as a backup if GT are willing to give the out-of-form Shahrukh a longer rope.

3. Jacob Duffy

• The New Zealand quick has been in some supreme form across formats and has picked 35 wickets in 20 T20I innings in 2025. Only Mohammad Nawaz (36) has picked more wickets among full members.
• He has a T20I economy rate of 8.69 in overs 16-20 and could be among the cheaper options in the auction room for the role.

4. Anrich Nortje

• The South African pacer returned to international action in the first T20I against India in Cuttack and bowled at full tilt, despite his team's loss and is a proven death overs bowler, who has previously also played a crucial role in Delhi Capitals' run to the final in IPL 2020.
• In his T20I career, he has bowled between 16-20 overs in 32 innings, conceding only at 8.13 runs per over and picking wickets at a strike rate of 13.2.
• He might have multiple teams interested in him, but given GT's rather settled unit, they can push their boundaries and target the Proteas pacer.

Other potential targets for GT

Michael Bracewell, Liam Livingstone (can be an alternative to Miller), Suyash Prabhudessai (good SMAT 2025 season), and Mustafizur Rahman (could be an expensive option).

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