As the Indian Premier League 2026 approaches, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has shared his views on the strengths and weaknesses of Gujarat Titans.
Kaif believes the team has a strong squad overall, but their bowling at the death overs could become a problem if it is not addressed before the season begins.
Kaif Highlights Death-Overs Weakness
According to Kaif, Gujarat Titans have struggled to control the game in the final overs of an innings. He explained that some of their fast bowlers have been expensive during the death overs in recent matches.
He mentioned that Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna have faced pressure late in the innings, while Kagiso Rabada has not been at his best in recent performances.
Kaif’s View on Titans Bowlers
| Bowler | Role | Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Siraj | New-ball bowler | Less effective in death overs |
| Prasidh Krishna | Middle-overs pacer | Best suited for hard lengths |
| Kagiso Rabada | Strike pacer | Recent form concerns |
Kaif explained that Siraj usually performs best with the new ball, while Prasidh Krishna’s strength lies in bowling hard lengths in the middle overs.
He also noted that the large boundaries at Ahmedabad help bowlers like Prasidh during the middle phase but do not always solve the problem of defending runs in the final overs.
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Rabada’s Place in the Playing XI Under Question
Kaif also discussed the possibility that Kagiso Rabada might not always be a guaranteed pick in the playing XI.
He said players like Jason Holder and Glenn Phillips could become important for the team’s balance, which may influence the final selection.
While Rabada remains a top international bowler, Kaif believes his recent performances will determine whether he secures a regular spot in the lineup.
Why Gujarat Titans Missed Top Two Last Season
Kaif also spoke about Gujarat Titans’ campaign in IPL 2025. The team started strongly and looked set for a top finish in the league stage.
Gujarat Titans IPL 2025 Performance Pattern
| Phase of Season | Result |
|---|---|
| First 12 Matches | Won 9 matches |
| Final 3 Matches | Lost all three |
| League Finish | Missed top two |
| Playoff Route | Eliminator |
According to Kaif, the Titans’ bowling unit looked strong early in the tournament but struggled toward the end of the season.
Opposition teams scored heavily in the last few matches, which exposed the team’s weakness in defending totals during the final overs.
Possible Gujarat Titans Playing XI for IPL 2026
Kaif also suggested a possible lineup that the Titans could use in IPL 2026.
Possible Gujarat Titans XI
| Batting Order | Player |
|---|---|
| Opener | Shubman Gill |
| Opener | Sai Sudharsan |
| No. 3 | Jos Buttler |
| Middle Order | Glenn Phillips |
| Middle Order | Washington Sundar |
| Middle Order | Shahrukh Khan |
| All-rounder | Jason Holder |
Bowling Attack
| Bowler Type | Player |
|---|---|
| Lead Spinner | Rashid Khan |
| Fast Bowler | Mohammed Siraj |
| Fast Bowler | Prasidh Krishna |
| Spinner | R Sai Kishore |
Impact Player Options
| Player |
|---|
| Nishant Sindhu |
| Rahul Tewatia |
Kaif believes Gujarat Titans have a well-planned squad and strong auction strategy. However, the team must improve its bowling in the final overs if it wants to compete for the top spots.
If the Titans can solve their death-bowling issues and maintain balance in the squad, they could again become strong contenders for a top-two finish in IPL 2026.
