5 players should release GT before IPL 2026

The Titans of Gujarat became the latest team to be dropped from IPL 2025 after losing to MI to Eliminator. Shubman Gill and Cum. This season was one of the best and consistent aspects, who won 9 out of 13 matches played so far.

While his top three have done most of the heavy lifting in terms of scoring run, there are many concerns related to the middle-order. In addition, it is R Sai Kishore who has done more damage with the ball in the spin department than experienced Rashid Khan. Like all the teams, GT will also be doing some chopping and fine tuning to its squad to emerge as a more formidable side in IPL 2026.

Five players should release GT

1. Rashid Khan

Afghanistan spinner has been an integral part of GT since entering the tournament in 2022. However, his performance in IPL 2025 has been quite a sub-valuation. Rashid has succeeded in taking only 8 wickets out of 13 sports, and is quite expensive – 9.38 economy rate. The batsmen are able to exclude Khan and easily take him to the cleaner – something that he struggled to do in previous versions. Perhaps the time has come for GT to let Rashid go.

2. Shahrukh Khan

The middle-order batsman has hardly achieved any match time this season. First, Suderson-Gil-Baller’s trio has scored most of the runs for the team this season. Sherfen Rutherford, who is bats above SRK, has also been effective. As a result of all this, the Tamil Nadu batsman got very little time in between.

But seeing Shah Rukh Khan’s record, he never worked in scoring 200 runs in the IPL season. In this version, he has scored 147 runs out of 13 matches, with a highest score of 57 that came against LSG, which was in a losing. GT can take the risk of releasing him, not because he lacks talent or weak, but only because he can find another team that can use his services better.

3. Ishant Sharma

Do not make any mistake, experienced pacer is still one of the best bowlers in the business – seeing that he can still bowl at a fast speed and frequent length. However, he is already 36 years old. And in IPL 2025, he played in only 7 matches and has taken 4 wickets. He is also very expensive.

Looking at his age, it is better if GT left him ahead of IPL 2026 and instead hunted for a small Indian pace.

4. Rahul Tawatiya

The all -rounder has failed to take expectations in this season. And this was very clear from GT’s game against LSG. While he has not bowled at all this season, his contribution with the bat has been minimal. Like SRK, they have not taken too much game time due to heavy top-order. However, GT has no shortage of middle-order batsmen or finisars.

5. Karim Janat

Karim has been reduced by GT in IPL 2025. But it is quite understanding that he has scored 30 runs on only one in this season. The GT is not lacking in rapid or moderate pessing bowling options and hence it will be intelligent for the team to get rid of the population. To keep it in simple words, Afghan Star could use better for some other teams that could probably play him regularly.