No, they don’t have a T20 basher. No, they don’t have a cheat code named Jasprit Bumrah. No, they don’t have a star-studded team. Yet, the Gujarat Titans (GT) look like the most complete side in IPL 2026. A few weeks ago, they were struggling with a non-existent middle order and over-reliance on their top three. Now, they have won five matches in a row, sit level on points with RCB, and are one win away from sealing a playoff spot.
What changed? Well, nothing. The bowling group has been just more productive now ever since GT have started playing Jason Holder. Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada have become the most dangerous new-ball pair in the tournament, Rashid Khan looks close to his best again, while Washington Sundar’s punt at number four has worked.
Against KKR at Eden Gardens, Shubman Gill is unlikely to make too many changes. Winning combinations are sacred in the IPL, especially this late in the season.
Will GT bring back Sai Kishore or continue with Prasidh Krishna?
This is the only real selection dilemma for Gujarat Titans.
GT used Prasidh Krishna as the Impact Player against SRH and it worked. The extra pace alongside Rabada and Siraj completely dismantled Hyderabad’s aggressive batting lineup. But Eden Gardens has traditionally offered some grip for spinners later in the innings, which could tempt GT to bring R Sai Kishore back into the XI.
Still, given how well GT’s pace-heavy attack has functioned recently, they may continue with the same combination. Also, Kolkata received massive rainfall on the eve of the match. This means the wicket will be damp. Pacers can find some help here with the conditions probably being a bit windy. Prasidh would like to do well against his former franchise KKR.
GT’s top order is carrying the season again
Sai Sudharsan (501), Shubman Gill (467) and Buttler (355) have scored bulk runs all season. The difference now is that the middle order is no longer collapsing every second game.
Washington Sundar deserves huge credit for that. He already has 296 runs this season at a strike rate above 152, making this comfortably his best IPL batting season. He has the fourth-most runs from overs 17 to 20 this season (121), striking at 180.59.
Gill also has an excellent matchup against Varun Chakravarthy. He has faced 38 balls from the mystery spinner in T20 cricket and scored 63 runs without getting dismissed even once.
GT stars at Eden Gardens
| Player | Inns | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 18 | 684 | 45.60 | 155.10 | 1/4 |
| Jos Buttler | 10 | 427 | 53.37 | 164.23 | 1/2 |
Gill himself loves batting at Eden Gardens. He has scored 684 runs at the venue in T20s at a strike rate of 155.10, including a century. Buttler’s record there is even more ridiculous.
GT’s bowling attack is peaking at exactly the right time. Rabada has the most powerplay wickets in IPL 2026 with 16. Siraj has been relentless with his hard lengths, while Rashid Khan is finally back taking wickets regularly through the middle overs. Jason Holder has become one of the best death bowlers this season too, conceding just 5.1 runs per over at the death.
Predicted GT Playing XI vs KKR
| Batting Order | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sai Sudharsan | Left-hand batter |
| 2 | Shubman Gill (c) | Opener |
| 3 | Jos Buttler (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| 4 | Nishant Sindhu | Middle-order batter |
| 5 | Washington Sundar | Batting all-rounder |
| 6 | Jason Holder | Pace all-rounder |
| 7 | Rahul Tewatia | Finisher |
| 8 | Rashid Khan | Leg-spinner |
| 9 | Arshad Khan | Left-arm seamer |
| 10 | Kagiso Rabada | Fast bowler |
| 11 | Mohammed Siraj | Fast bowler |
| Impact Sub | Prasidh Krishna / Sai Kishore | Bowler |
Cricket
Predicted Gujarat Titans Playing XI vs KKR: Will Shubman Gill make any changes?
