Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper Shubman Gill might take his rejection from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as inspiration to perform well in the next Indian Premier League season, according to former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara.
Talking to JioHotstar, Pujara called Gill a “quality player suited for all three formats” and stated that a successful IPL season might make it possible for him to rejoin India’s T20I team.
”The T20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill. He is a quality player suited for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will surely put his name in India’s T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and is also the ODI captain. He is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team,” Pujara said.
”There will be some pressure on him because he has not been part of the India squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to carry on batting the way he has. He needs to try to accelerate a little more because that is something he has been working on. This IPL season is the perfect one for him to show he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160,” Pujara added.
Pujara responded that the Gujarat Titans’ top order is amazing and that their consistency is the team’s greatest asset when asked why they are a title contender this season.
”GT look like a title favourite this season. If you look at their squad, the top order of Captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler is incredible. You cannot have a better top order than them. These three have scored runs with amazing consistency. That is their main strength,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said.
Pujara also emphasized Shahrukh Khan as a crucial player who has the capacity to completely transform the team and Rahul Tewatia as the main finisher.
”The number of all-rounders they have, especially with the addition of Jason Holder, makes them even stronger. Holder is in great form with both bat and ball, and will love to contribute in both departments. Rahul Tewatia will be their main finisher. He can bowl a few overs if needed, but his primary job is to bat well at number six or seven. Shahrukh Khan is also a key player. If he starts performing as per his potential, GT will be a different team altogether,” the former batter added.
”When it comes to bowling, their strength is their seamers. Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna are their main pacers, and Ishant Sharma is also on the bench if needed. Ashok Sharma will be unleashed with his fiery pace at some point in the season. Left-armer Luke Wood is another seamer who knows how to do well. If Rabada does not perform, Wood can replace him. But I hope Rabada, being a strike bowler, has a good IPL. All GT fans will be hoping the same,” Pujara concluded.
On March 31, the Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, will play their first game of the season in Mullanpur against the Punjab Kings.
