Former Indian batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Mohammad Kaif joined hands to pick the Gujarat Titans’ probable playing XI ahead of the upcoming IPL season in 2026. The duo conveniently left out the legendary South African pacer Kagiso Rabada from the XI.
The Gujarat Titans entered the IPL mini-auction in 2026 and retained 20 players from the previous season. They then went on to make five signings, and four of them were nothing but seamers. They picked two overseas and two Indian seamers.
One of their signings, Jason Holder, seemed the finest pick. He was bought for INR 7 crores, and then the all-rounder went on to make a massive contribution to the West Indies’ limited success in the ICC T20 World Cup. Tom Banton remained the only backup middle-order batter.
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There is no discussion about the top three- Cheteshwar Pujara
Former Indian batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Mohammad Kaif picked the Gujarat Titans’ probable playing XI for the upcoming season of the IPL. The duo surprisingly left out the South African veteran Kagiso Rabada.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Pujara chose Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler to most definitely form the top 3 for the Gujarat Titans. He also sided with New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips for a full-season middle-order spot in the Titans XI.
“There is no discussion about the top three. Glenn Phillips is at No. 4, and then Washington Sundar is at No. 5 because they use him as a floater. So they would want to keep him at No. 5 for now, and Washington will be there in the playing XI for sure,” he said.
I would want to play an Indian seamer in his place- said Pujara on Kagiso Rabada’s poor form
The former Indian cricketer picked out Jason Holder to be the all-rounder who could be used carefully in a dual role by the Gujarat Titans. Rabada was the only overseas seamer in the squad until Luke Wood and Jason Holder were picked in the mini-auction.
“Then Rahul Tewatia at No. 6. Tewatia is important for me, and I don’t know whether Kaif bhai would agree or not, but a slightly weird playing XI, Rabada, since his form is not good, I would want to play an Indian seamer in his place, and you should play Jason Holder because his form has been very good. He can bat at No. 7, and it gives you another bowling option,” Pujara observed.
Holder can be the third seamer in the IPL, while they will also have two frontline spinners in the side, alongside Washington Sundar and Glenn Phillips, backing them as a replacement.
Jason Holder receives massive backing in Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026
Mohammad Kaif also backed Cheteshwar Pujara’s statement about Jason Holder’s presence in the Gujarat Titans’ probable playing XI for the upcoming IPL season. He highlighted that the red soil at Ahmedabad could facilitate a seamer like Holder.
“I agree with Holder because his recent form has been fantastic. His bowling will be very useful on the red-soil pitch there. He releases the ball from a height. You will get the option of Rashid Khan, Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan in the middle,” he said in the same discussion.
He also added that Sai Kishore might also not be part of the frontline playing XI. “Holder is there, and Rabada might not play there. Sai Kishore might also not play at the start. He is a left-spinner. However, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj will play, and you can add Holder to that, and that will make it your XI,” he observed.
Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammad Siraj.
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