The Gujarat Titans (GT) are peaking at the right time in IPL 2026. Four wins in a row, 14 points on the table, and Shubman Gill’s side look like serious contenders for top four finish. Their batting has become frighteningly consistent, while the bowling attack has started suffocating teams in Ahmedabad.
But there is still one decision that doesn’t quite add up. Why exactly is Prasidh Krishna sitting outside the Playing XI? GT have won games without him, yes. Arshad Khan has chipped in with wickets too. But when a bowler with Prasidh’s record gets dropped after just two slightly off games, questions are naturally going to be asked. Especially in a clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, a side that can blow games apart inside six overs.
GT need Prasidh’s wicket-taking ability back
Prasidh was one of Gujarat’s best bowlers in the first half of IPL 2026. Until April 24, he was the joint third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Then two expensive outings happened, he lost rhythm slightly, and GT decided to take him out.
That feels harsh for a bowler whose entire role is about attacking and taking wickets. The problem with replacing Prasidh is simple. Gujarat lose a genuine middle-overs wicket-taker. Arshad Khan has done a decent job, but he isn’t a strike bowler. In Ahmedabad, Arshad has taken just six wickets in seven innings at an expensive economy rate of 11.73. Meanwhile, Prasidh has a stellar record.
Prasidh Krishna vs SRH in IPL
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 12 | 17.67 | 7.57 | 4/30 |
Prasidh Krishna at Narendra Modi Stadium
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 23 | 20.26 | 8.55 |
These are proper numbers. Ahmedabad suits him too. The extra bounce, hard lengths, and large square boundaries all help his style.
More importantly, SRH’s batting approach actually suits Prasidh. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma attack hard from ball one. That naturally creates wicket opportunities for hit-the-deck bowlers. If GT are serious about finishing top two, they should go back to their strongest bowling attack now instead of overthinking combinations.
Predicted GT Playing XI vs SRH
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Washington Sundar
- Jason Holder
- Nishant Sindhu
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- Prasidh Krishna/Arshad Khan
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Siraj
Impact Player: R Sai Kishore
GT’s bowling unit already looks dangerous
Even without Prasidh, Gujarat’s bowling has looked excellent recently.
Kagiso Rabada has been bowling rockets in the powerplay. Mohammed Siraj has quietly had one of his best IPL seasons with the new ball. Together, they completely shut down RCB and PBKS in Ahmedabad over the last two games. Siraj’s lengths especially have been outstanding this season. He is conceding below seven an over in the powerplay, which is elite in modern T20 cricket. Then comes Rashid Khan, who finally looks dangerous again.
| Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|
| 13 | Under 7.5 |
That is vintage Rashid territory. Jason Holder has also become a massive plus. GT initially brought him in as a utility option, but he has ended up contributing in every phase. He has picked wickets in the powerplay, middle overs and death while also giving balance with the bat.
The batting meanwhile almost picks itself. Sai Sudharsan has been one of the most consistent batters of IPL 2026. Jos Buttler is doing Jos Buttler things. Gill has started converting starts again. Washington Sundar’s promotion has worked beautifully too. But the lower order is non-existent.
