5 GT players who can be match-winners in IPL 2026

Despite being champions in 2022, Gujarat Titans (GT) always enter each Indian Premier League (IPL) season being slightly under the radar. However, this time they possess a squad capable of not only qualifying for the playoffs but also having an outside chance of winning their second title.

GT have a great balance of match-winners who can win the game on their own, be it with the bat or with the ball, along with a right mixture of overseas and domestic talent. 

Here are the top five match-winners within the GT squad:

5. Rashid Khan – Spin-bowling all-rounder

Rashid Khan is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to play T20 cricket. The Afghanistan star, though, has been in a slight lean patch of form, both internationally and in franchise cricket. The 27-year-old has picked just 19 wickets for GT in his last seasons in Ahmedabad. 

However, as the saying goes: form is temporary, class is permanent. Rashid is certainly due for an excellent IPL season. The spinner showed glimpses of his skills at the T20 World Cup where he took six wickets from four games at an economy rate of just 6.68. This included a spell of 2 for 28 against South Africa at GT’s home ground in Ahmedabad. 

4. Rahul Tewatia – Lower-middle order Batter

Rahul Tewatia is one of the modern-day cult heroes in the IPL. Ever since his heroics with Rajasthan Royals in 2020, expectations on Tewatia have gone through the roof.

Tewatia averaged just 12.37 in 2025, but he had a strike-rate of 167.79. His role in the team remains the same as before. Despite his underwhelming form, the 32-year-old remains a genuine match-winner with the opponents also wary of the left-hander.

3. Sai Sudharsan – Top order Batter

Sai Sudharsan won the Orange Cap in IPL 2025 after scoring 759 runs at an average of 54.21 and strike-rate of 156.17. The left-hander formed a brilliant opening partnership along with captain Shubman Gill. Sudharsan will have a lot of expectations on his shoulders this time around.

The 24-year-old comes into the IPL with some great performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which solidifies his tag as a match-winner for GT. He scored 64 against eventual champions Jharkhand before scoring an unbeaten 101 against Saurashtra. Both of those games took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium, his IPL home.

2. Jos Buttler – Top order Batter, Wicketkeeper

Like Rashid Khan, Jos Buttler’s international form is concerning heading into the IPL. The England star scored just 87 at 10.87 at the T20 World Cup and looked like a shadow of his previous self. However, one can never discount Buttler in the IPL. Last year he scored 538 runs at an average of just under 60 with a strike-rate of 163.03.

The wicketkeeper-batter found a new home at GT where he batted at number three. Buttler’s pedigree in the IPL is unquestionable and some solid performances in the tournament will help him bring new life into his international career.

1. Shubman Gill – Top order Batter, Captain 

The 2026 IPL could be one of the most important Shubman Gill has played in. Not only does he have the responsibility of leading GT for a third season, he has to show why he can still form part of India’s T20I setup after getting dropped ahead of the World Cup.

Gill had yet another outstanding campaign last time around, as he scored 650 runs at an average of 50 whilst scoring at 155.87. He formed a devastating opening partnership alongside Sudharsan with the pair capable of winning matches on their own. Gill and his opening partnership showed their match-winning prowess against Delhi Capitals when they chased down 200 without a loss of a single wicket.