India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya have found themselves at the centre of a big Gujarat Titans story amid the IPL 2027 trade window. Hardik Pandya was reportedly interested in returning to Gujarat Titans, but the move hit a major roadblock.
According to The Indian Express, Gujarat Titans were ready to consider Pandya’s return. However, the franchise did not agree to his reported condition of getting the captaincy back from Shubman Gill. GT had already built its leadership around Gill and did not want to change that setup. Amid this, Matthew Hayden backs Shubman Gill to lead India to success across formats.
Hardik Pandya wanted GT return, but Shubman Gill stood in his way
Hardik Pandya has a strong history with Gujarat Titans. He was GT’s first captain in 2022 and led them to the IPL title in their debut season and then finals in 2023. After spending two seasons with GT, Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians in 2024.
Before joining GT, he had already played seven IPL seasons for Mumbai Indians. When the possibility of Pandya returning to Gujarat came up, the franchise was reportedly comfortable with the idea. The matter was even discussed with Gill, who was also fine with the all-rounder coming back. Amid this, Rank turner? Galle pitch gives big surprise ahead of India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test.
But when the captaincy condition came into the picture. The franchise reportedly made it clear that it was not ready to remove Gill as captain just to bring Pandya back. He was already given the full authority by the GT’s top brass from the 2026 season.
Gujarat Titans make Shubman Gill’s future clear, captaincy not open even for Hardik Pandya
Shubman Gill became Gujarat Titans captain in 2024 after Pandya moved to the Mumbai Indians. Since then, the franchise has continued to build its team around the Punjab lad. GT’s owners, team, management and leadership group are now reportedly fully behind Gill.
As reported by Revsportz journalists, Gujarat Titans’ owners and team management are all backing Shubman Gill as their leader for at least the next four seasons or until the skipper wants to leave the franchise. The message from the franchise is simple: Gill is the leader that is not going to change.
The team’s top management and leadership group have reportedly decided that it does not want to look beyond Gill at this stage. If another player, even Pandya, joins the team in the future, that can be discussed separately, but the captaincy is already locked to Gill.
Shubman Gill’s power boost at GT after the 2026 season differences
The journalist also revealed that there were some disagreements between Gill and members of the GT coaching setup, especially around team improvement and performance during the early IPL 2026 season and IPL 2025. However, those problems were later sorted out inside the team.
After Gujarat Titans’ match against Chennai Super Kings, Gill had major authority despite the controversy over his whistle post on social media. The franchise leadership has reportedly made its position clear that Gill will have the final say on any important decision in the team.
GT is very clear that Gill is their captain, and they are not planning to move away from him, blocking Pandya’s return to the franchise. The Indian skipper is currently in Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, starting on August 15 in Galle.
🚨 Shubman Gill had a disagreement with the Gujarat Titans coaching staff during the first half of IPL 2026.
From the CSK match onwards, Gill was given 100% authority by the Torrent.
After that match, SRK was dropped from the side with Nishant and Arshad coming into the XI. 👀 pic.twitter.com/jTtMUxI9sY
— Ahmed Says (@AhmedGT_) August 13, 2026
