Gujarat Titans (GT) kick-started their Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) campaign on a disappointing note, suffering a 3-wicket defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their opening game. An usually formidable GT batting unit clearly struggled against PBKS in what was a low-scoring encounter, with the likes of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler failing to go all guns blazing. GT were one of the best batting units in IPL 2025. And they haven’t made many changes to their side in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Therefore, the onus will be on T’s strong top and middle order to go all guns blazing when they take on a dangerous Rajasthan Royals in their second IPL 2026 match on Sunday. Shubman Gill and co. will have the home ground advantage as they will be playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ahead of the game against RR, let’s take a look at GT’s predicted XI.
Predicted GT playing XI vs RR
| Position | Player | Role |
| 1. | Sai Sudharsan | Opener |
| 2. | Shubman Gill (C) | Opener |
| 3. | Jos Buttler (WK) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| 4. | Glenn Phillips | All-rounder |
| 5. | Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| 6. | Rahul Tewatia | All-rounder |
| 7. | Rashid Khan | Spinner |
| 8. | Kagiso Rabada | Pacer |
| 9. | Mohammed Siraj | Pacer |
| 10. | Ashok Sharma | Bowler |
| 11. | Prasidh Krishna | Pacer |
There is a high chance of Gujarat Titans going ahead with an unchanged playing XI in the game against RR on Sunday. Sai Sudharsan (11 off 13 in the game against PBKS) will be hoping to regain his form and replicate his Orange Cup winning feat from IPL 2025 after having a poor game in the team’s IPL 2026 opener. Captain Gill showed glimpses of brilliance with a 38-run knock but failed to convert it to a big same. Same goes for Buttler who scored 38 runs against PBKS.
Barring the top three, who will be expected to heavily contribute as they did so last season, the onus will also be on the likes of Phillips and Sundar to deliver in the middle-order. Veteran all-rounder Rahul Tewatia has been a disappointment off late but the team continues to rely on him and therefore is likely to retain his place in the playing XI.
GT’s bowling wasn’t a let down in the previous game as Siraj, Krishna and Rabada bowled brilliantly. It’s just that they did not have enough runs on the board and hence couldn’t defend the low target. Regardless, the team isn’t expected to make any changes to their bowling line-up.
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