What did Cheteshwar Pujara said about Shubman Gill's potential in IPL 2026
The Gujarat Titans fell short in the Tata IPL Eliminator last season, and their objective now will be to go a step further and lift the trophy for the second time. Speaking on JioCinema's 'Game Plan – Know Your Team,' JioCinema expert Cheteshwar Pujara backed captain Shubman Gill to make a strong comeback.
Cheteshwar Pujara explained how Shubman Gill could use his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad as motivation for the IPL 2026 season.
He stated, "Missing out on a spot in the T20 World Cup squad will certainly fire up Shubman Gill. He is a quality player across all three formats. If he has a successful IPL 2026 season, he will undoubtedly cement his place in India's T20 squad. He is already leading the Test team and serves as the ODI captain as well; he is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will make his way back into the Indian team setup."
Pujara said there will be a certain amount of pressure on him, given that he hasn't been a part of the Indian squad in the shortest format recently. However, at the same time, this presents a fantastic opportunity for him to continue batting in the manner he has been, he said.
Cheteshwar said, "Shubman Gill will need to strive to score runs at a slightly quicker pace—something he has already been working on—to demonstrate that he is capable of batting at a strike rate of 150 to 160."
Possibility of Ashok Sharma being included in the GT Playing XI
Regarding the possibility of Ashok Sharma being included in the GT Playing XI this season, he remarked, "Playing his debut IPL season with a team like GT, under the guidance of Ashish Nehra, would be a tremendous opportunity for Ashok Sharma. He might not immediately find a spot in the Playing XI at the start of the season, given that you already have Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada serving as the third seamers. However, I wouldn't be surprised if Rabada were to be sidelined at some point. If they consider bringing in someone like Jason Holder—who is currently in magnificent form in T20 cricket—they could potentially accommodate an extra Indian seamer, such as Ashok Sharma, in place of Rabada. This is a combination that GT might well consider. Nevertheless, during the initial phase of the IPL, their Playing XI will likely remain unchanged from its previous composition."
Gujarat Titans are title contenders this season
Explaining why the Gujarat Titans are title contenders this season, Pujara remarked, "GT appears to be the favorite for the title this season. If you look at their squad, their top order—comprising Captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—is formidable. One couldn't ask for a better top order than this. These three have scored runs with remarkable consistency; that is their primary strength. With the abundance of all-rounders they possess—particularly with the arrival of Jason Holder—they have become even stronger. Holder is in magnificent form with both bat and ball and will be keen to contribute in both departments."
Pujara said, "Rahul Tewatia will serve as their primary finisher, though his main role is to bat effectively at number six. If he begins performing to his full potential, he could also chip in with a few overs of bowling. Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna are also waiting in the wings on the bench, poised to make an impact with their sheer pace at some point during the season. Left-armer Luke Wood is another seamer who knows how to deliver a strong performance; should Rabada fail to perform, Wood could step in to take his place. However, I fully expect Rabada—being a premier strike bowler—to perform exceptionally well in the IPL. That is certainly the hope of all GT fans."