15 hours ago
Rashid Khan (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
NEW DELHI: With a strong squad at their disposal, the Gujarat Titans face a challenging task in finalising their playing combination for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Shubman Gill-led side must make key decisions regarding two versatile all-rounders — Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia — both known for their valuable finishing ability in the death overs.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan – Know Your Team’, JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar shared his insights on how GT could approach their combinations this season.
“One thing GT have done is persist with the players they selected initially. They have stuck with Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia. Washington Sundar has been given a role in T20 cricket for them — not necessarily with the ball, but he comes in to bat in important positions, maybe at number four.
I see a similar role for Washington Sundar, more with the bat. We hope Shahrukh Khan repays the faith shown by the GT management in him. He showed signs of improvement last season, scoring runs at crucial times. If both Tewatia and Shahrukh play, one could be used as an impact player. Contributions lower down the order will help GT a lot because most runs came from the top order last time,” said Bangar.
Bangar also highlighted that adding Glenn Phillips to the playing XI could significantly boost Gujarat’s batting firepower.
He further analysed why Rashid Khan’s mystery factor appears to have diminished in T20 cricket.
“Rashid Khan’s mystery factor fading away can be attributed to multiple factors. There is now broad familiarity among batsmen on how to play him. Batsmen have had enough exposure because Rashid plays in all major franchise T20 leagues. He is a franchise king. Players worldwide get opportunities to face him. The more you face a bowler, the more your mind starts finding methods to counter him.
The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium is not on the slower side. A major part of his game was to hit the pads or get bowled dismissals by keeping the stumps in play. That advantage diminishes a bit here.
He has come back from injury, but it may be affecting the pace at which he is bowling. These factors may have slightly reduced his effectiveness. However, he remains a bowler who picks up two or three wickets and bowls with an economy rate under eight runs per over,” said Bangar, who has previously coached the Punjab Kings.
