Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has highlighted a possible weak spot within the Gujarat Titans (GT) squad forward of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. In keeping with Chopra, the franchise might face challenges as a consequence of its heavy dependence on the top-order batters, notably if considered one of their key gamers fails to ship persistently.
The Gujarat-based franchise loved a strong marketing campaign in IPL 2025, reaching the playoffs after spectacular performances from Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler on the prime of the order. Nonetheless, their journey ended within the Eliminator after a defeat to the Mumbai Indians, with Buttler unavailable for the match as a consequence of nationwide commitments. Because the workforce prepares for the upcoming season, Chopra believes their reliance on the highest three may change into a vulnerability.
Aakash Chopra explains weak spot of Gujarat Titans forward of IPL 2026
The success of Gujarat Titans final season was largely constructed on the consistency of their top-order batters. Captain Gill led from the entrance, whereas Sudharsan continued to develop into probably the most dependable younger batters within the event. In the meantime, Buttler offered the explosive firepower anticipated from him within the shortest format.
Chopra famous that the workforce carried out greatest when the highest three managed to bat deep into the innings. When at the least considered one of them stayed on the crease till the center overs, the Titans have been in a position to construct robust platforms for aggressive totals.
Chopra defined that the workforce’s method labored nicely final season however may change into dangerous if the highest order fails to fireplace recurrently. He identified that the perfect state of affairs for Gujarat Titans is when the highest three occupy the crease till the 14th or fifteenth over, guaranteeing stability and momentum within the innings. Nonetheless, relying too closely on this technique may depart the center order uncovered if early wickets fall.
“What are their weakenesses? They are often referred to as weaknesses or challenges. A slight overdependence continues to be seen on the highest three. It’s nice in the event that they replicate what they did final 12 months, which implies the highest three collectively bat until the 14th or fifteenth over, and at the least considered one of them ought to one hundred pc be there until the fifteenth over,” Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.
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Star batter’s latest kind raises considerations
One other issue Chopra highlighted was Buttler’s latest dip in kind in the course of the T20 World Cup 2026. The England star had an unusually quiet event, scoring solely 87 runs in eight innings at a median of 10.88.
For a participant identified for dominating bowlers throughout situations, the numbers have been shocking. Chopra remarked that it was uncommon to see Buttler wrestle to such an extent in a World Cup event. He additionally famous that the right-handed batter appeared uncomfortable even on batting-friendly pitches, which raised questions on whether or not the droop may carry into the IPL season.
In keeping with Chopra, Gujarat Titans would ideally need Buttler to supply explosive begins alongside Gill. Nonetheless, if the English wicketkeeper-batter continues to wrestle, the workforce would possibly face difficulties on the prime of the order.
“Nonetheless, the reality is that Jos Buttler’s present kind may be very, very pedestrian. Now we have not seen Jos Buttler enjoying extra unusual than this in any World Cup version. He was seen struggling in good situations this time. So will that be a little bit of a problem for the Gujarat Titans? You need to begin with Jos Buttler, however what if the shape doesn’t stay good? Each openers can’t rating runs each time,” Chopra added.
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