After a successful first couple of seasons where the Gujarat Titans (GT) won their maiden title of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022 and ended as the runners-up in the following season, they didn’t taste much success under the leadership of Shubman Gill. Later, they finally got the joy in the previous season of the event with nine wins and five defeats to finish in third position in the event.

Gujarat Titans made a massive move by trading their overseas all-rounder, Sherfane Rutherford, from the playing squad to the Mumbai Indians. Their opening position and the top order looked quite balanced and strong. However, their concern was with Rashid Khan, who didn’t get much success in the previous season.

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Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are expected to open the innings for the Titans, with the Tamil Nadu opening batter enjoying the previous season with 759 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of nearly 160 with the help of six half-centuries and one century at the best score of unbeaten 108 runs.

Gujarat Titans’ strongest playing 11 for IPL 2026 after mini auction

Gujarat signed the England wicket-keeper batter, Tom Banton, late in the auction, who they can use as the back-up option of Jos Buttler and make him bat at the number three position. Jason Holder can also be a fine player for the middle order of the side. Moraless, they already had a balanced squad even before the auction.

Gujarat Titans (GT) full squad ahead of IPL 2026

Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Tom Banton, Glenn Phillips, Shahrukh Khan, Jos Buttler, Anuj Rawat, Kumar Kushagra, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Rahul Tewatia, Nishant Sindhu, Jayant Yadav, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Luke Wood, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Sharma, Prithvi Raj Yarra, Sai Kishore.

Shubman was equally exceptional with the bat at the opening spot for the Titans as the right-handed batter amassed 650 runs in 15 innings of the previous season at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 155.87 with the help of six half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs.

Meanwhile, Buttler cracked 538 runs in just 13 innings at an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 163.03 with five half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs. Even at number four, they have the fine spin all-rounder of India, Washington Sundar, in the eleven with Sharukh Khan walking at number five.

At number six, they will have the toss-up between New Zealand’s Glenn Phillip and West Indies’ Jason Holder. The latter looks to be a more suitable option, given he can provide four overs with the ball and bat in the middle order with brutal power. Rahul Tewatia brings balance in the lower order, while Rashid Khan is the trump card of the eleven.

In the pace bowling department, they will have Kagiso Rabada and Mohammad Siraj, along with Prasidh Krishna in the eleven. Rabada missed the last season’s many clashes due to personal reasons, as this time, GT signed the back-up option of left-arm pacer Luke Wood.

Sai Kishore will be their left-arm spin all-rounder, who has been economical on most occasions of the last season and can prove to be a vital player once they travel to Chennai or Lucknow.

GT’s strongest playing 11 for IPL 2026 after mini auction

Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk.), Washington Sundar, Shahrukh Khan, Glenn Phillips/Jason Holder, Rahul Tewatia, R Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammad Siraj.

Impact player: Prasidh Krishna.

Gujarat Titans (GT), the IPL 2022 champions, had a quiet outing at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The franchise made only five purchases and did not make many big changes to their squad. The most expensive buy for GT was West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder, whom they signed for ₹7 crore. England batter Tom Banton was their second-costliest pick at ₹2 crore.

GT also added a few budget players to improve squad depth. Indian fast bowler Ashok Sharma was bought for ₹90 lakh, while England pacer Luke Wood joined the team for ₹75 lakh. Young Indian player Prithviraj Yarra was purchased for INR 30 lakhs. In total, GT made minute but calculated moves.

During the last season, Gujarat Titans had a positive run and then lost momentum at the end. They lost the last league games and were beaten out by the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. Ahead of the auction, GT released several players, including Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Gerald Coetzee, Dasun Shanaka, and Kulwant Khejroliya. Sherfane Rutherford was also traded to Mumbai Indians. Despite these changes, GT kept their main core intact.

Gujarat Titans entered the mini-auction with a purse of ₹12.90 crore. The team once again showed faith in their core players like captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia, and Mohammed Siraj. Last season, GT depended heavily on their top order of Jos Buttler, Sudharsan, and Gill. However, their middle order struggled at times, which they will look to improve in IPL 2026.

See Also: IPL Auction 2026: Full squad and new bought players for Rajasthan Royals

Gujarat Titans Bought Players at IPL 2026 Auction

Jason Holder (₹7 crore), Tom Banton (₹2 crore), Ashok Sharma (₹90 lakh), Luke Wood (₹75 lakh), Prithviraj Yarra (₹30 lakh).

Gujarat Titans Full Squad for IPL 2026

Shubman Gill (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Arshad Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Ashok Sharma, Luke Wood, Prithviraj Yarra.

Rajasthan’s fast bowler, Ashok Sharma, was expected to grab a lot of eyeballs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, given how he bowls at 140 kmph speed consistently in the shortest format and has also been the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26. Ashok has been incredible for the state side in various periods.

The bidding war for Ashok Sharma started at INR 30 lakh by the Kolkata Knight Riders before the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) joined the battle. But that was the first and last bid of the Yellow franchise, while Kolkata continued the war with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for a price of INR 80 lakh when the Gujarat Titans joined the war.

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The Titans later came into the equation and finally signed the player for a price of INR 90 lakh. Ashok has been in cracking form, and this could be a good move for the Titans by keeping the pacer as the back-up option in the event.

Who is Ashok Sharma who was sold to Gujarat Titans

Ashok has overall picked up 22 wickets in 10 innings of the shortest format at an average of around 16 and a strike rate of 10 with the economy rate of just over nine. His best figures in the format are 4/16 in an innings, including two four-wicket hauls that he picked up in the ongoing SMAT 2025/26.

Ashok has consistently clocked in the high 140s and bowls with a heavy ball. Over the past two seasons, he has gone through a significant transformation to emerge as an all-round seamer across various phases in the shortest format.

He was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders and, more recently, the Rajasthan Royals squad in the IPL. Now he is more ready to go with the Gujarat Titans under the captaincy of Shubman Gill in the IPL 2026. In the franchise, he will also get a massive experience under the wings of world-class bowlers of India and overseas.

Star Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj played for Hyderabad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 Super League match against Mumbai on Friday (December 12).

The match was played at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Hyderabad won the game by nine wickets. Siraj picked up three wickets and finished with figures of 3 for 17 in 3.5 overs. He was named Player of the Match for his brilliant bowling performance.

Siraj also won hearts by sharing his Player of the Match award with teammate Tanmay Agarwal. Tanmay played a fine knock of 75 runs off 40 balls during the 132-run chase. Fans praised Siraj’s gesture on social media. His IPL franchise, the Gujarat Titans, also reacted and shared a post, which has now gone viral.

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GT shared a picture of Mohammed Siraj sharing the Player of the Match award with Tanmay Agarwal. The franchise captioned the post, “Match bhi jeet liya aur dil bhi!”

Match bhi jeet liya aur dil bhi! 💙 pic.twitter.com/vGYc8NQSgk

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) December 12, 2025

Flop Show by Mumbai

The presence of several Indian stars did not help Mumbai, as they lost to Hyderabad in their Super League match.

Mumbai had players like Yashasvi Jaiswal (29), Sarfaraz Khan (5), Ajinkya Rahane (9), and Shardul Thakur (0) in the playing XI. However, they were bowled out for 131. Mohammed Siraj was the star for Hyderabad, as he picked up three wickets for 17 runs in 3.5 overs.

Tanay Thyagarajan supported Siraj well and took two wickets.

In reply, Aman Rao scored an unbeaten 52, while Tanmay Agarwal made 75 runs. The duo helped Hyderabad chase the target in just 11.5 overs.

Hyderabad finished on 132 for one. They won the match by nine wickets and earned four points.

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Hat-trick for Reddy

India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy impressed for Andhra Pradesh. He scored 25 runs and took a hat-trick, finishing with figures of 3 for 17 in three overs.

However, Madhya Pradesh won the match by four wickets. Andhra were bowled out for 112 in 19.1 overs. Madhya Pradesh chased down the target, scoring 113 for six in 17.3 overs, despite Reddy’s fine spell.

India pacer Mohit Sharma has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket, ending a career that lasted nearly 14 years. Mohit made his international debut in 2013 and played 26 ODIs and eight T20Is for India, taking a total of 37 wickets. He was also part of India’s squad that reached the semifinals of the 2015 Men’s ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Mohit also had a strong domestic career for Haryana. Sharing his retirement note on Instagram, he wrote, “Today, with a full heart, I announce my retirement from all formats of cricket. From representing Haryana to wearing the India jersey and playing in the IPL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing.” He thanked the Haryana Cricket Association for being the backbone of his career.

He added, “A very special thank you to the Haryana Cricket Association for being the backbone of my career. And my deepest gratitude to Anirudh Sir, whose constant guidance and belief in me shaped my path in ways words cannot express. Thank you to the BCCI, my coaches, my teammates, IPL franchises, support staff, and all my friends for their love and support.”

Mohit Sharma’s IPL Journey and Emotional Goodbye

Mohit was well known for his accurate bowling with the new ball and for using cutters, slower balls, and slow bouncers effectively in the death overs. In the IPL, he played 120 matches and took 134 wickets, representing Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Delhi Capitals.  He was one of CSK's leading bowlers in his early years, bagging 20 wickets in IPL 2013 and emerging as the Purple Cap winner in 2014 with 23 wickets.

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After struggling with form, Mohit joined Gujarat Titans as a net bowler in IPL 2022 and made a strong comeback in 2023, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets. He was also GT’s highest wicket-taker in IPL 2024. In his farewell message, he wrote, “Special thanks to my wife, who always handled my mood swings and anger and supported me through everything. I look forward to serving the game in fresh ways. Thank you so much. Innings over, gratitude forever.”

David Miller is set to be one of the most talked-about names in the IPL 2026 auction. The South African power-hitter was released by Lucknow Super Giants after a lukewarm 2025 campaign, where he managed 153 runs in 11 games, well below the standard he has set over the years.

Despite a disappointing season, Miller’s credentials remain unquestionable. With over 3,000 IPL runs, a strike-rate close to 140, and a reputation as one of the most destructive left-handed finishers in world cricket, he still has plenty to offer. His match-winning run with Gujarat Titans in 2022, where he smashed 481 runs and played a central role in their title charge, is proof of his value.

Heading into the 2026 auction, several teams will be tempted to invest in his finishing experience and calmness under pressure. Here are three franchises who should strongly consider targeting David Miller.

3 Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR have taken a bold route by parting ways with Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer, two major middle-order options. While their Indian core has a solid structure with Rahane, Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, and Rinku Singh, the side clearly lacks an overseas match-finisher.

This is exactly where Miller fits. His ability to absorb pressure early and explode later in the innings gives balance to the middle-order. Eden Gardens, with its true bounce and short boundaries straight, could unlock the best version of his aggressive strokeplay, especially against spin. KKR need experience and fearlessness at the death, Miller brings both.

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2 Gujarat Titans (GT)

Gujarat have tried to restructure their finishing group ever since Hardik Pandya’s departure. But the puzzle hasn’t clicked. Rahul Tewatia and Shah Rukh Khan haven’t consistently delivered, and Sherfane Rutherford’s move to MI only adds to the void.

Miller returning to GT would be a reunion that makes cricketing sense. He understands the camp, thrives under Ashish Nehra’s backing, and has fond memories playing in Ahmedabad, a venue where he has produced some iconic knocks. A familiar environment could spark another late-career purple patch.

1 Delhi Capitals (DC)

DC had strong starts in multiple matches last season, thanks to KL Rahul and Abhishek Porel, but they repeatedly struggled to close out games. Tristan Stubbs stepped up admirably, yet the finishing duty largely rested solely on him.

With Donovan Ferreira gone and experienced overseas batters moving out of the squad, DC are clearly in the market for a proven middle-order presence. Adding Miller alongside Stubbs would give Rishabh Pant’s side a powerful and versatile lower-order, capable of adapting to different situations. If DC want to transform their batting into a more ruthless unit, Miller is the perfect name to target.

David Miller may not have enjoyed his best year, but one lean season cannot overshadow the impact he has made in T20 cricket. For teams craving experience, game awareness, and clean ball-striking in pressure overs, the left-hander remains a premium buy. And in auctions, past champions always attract bidders.

The Gujarat Titans (GT), champions of IPL 2022, had a strong season in IPL 2025, finishing in fourth place. Their group-stage run was one of the most consistent of the tournament, mainly because of the brilliant performances of their top-order batters, who dominated bowling attacks across different venues. Their strong starts with the bat have played a crucial role in GT securing a playoff spot for the third time in four years.

Sai Sudharsan, captain Shubman Gill and England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler all scored more than 500 runs each in the season. This made them one of the best top threes in the tournament. However, since they scored most of the runs, GT’s middle order didn’t get much time to bat, creating concerns about their depth in pressure situations. Because of this, GT are expected to target new middle-order batters in the mini-auction on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.

Over the years, Gujarat Titans became one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. After claiming the title in their maiden season in 2022 under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, they were in the finals in 2023 and barely missed the playoffs in 2024. All ahead of the 2026 season, GT intend to retain their strong core players while also releasing players who haven't performed well to improve their good squad.

Gujarat Titans Retentions, Releases and Trades for IPL 2026

GT retained most of the key players ahead of IPL 2026, which included their skipper Shubman Gill, leading performers Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler, and match-winners like Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Rahul Tewatia. They have also retained some other all-rounders and bowlers for maintaining team balance. Meanwhile, GT released some players who didn’t feature in their long-term plans.

The team also made one notable trade, sending West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford to Mumbai Indians. With a remaining purse of ₹12.9 crore, Gujarat Titans will look to fill crucial middle-order and backup slots at the mini-auction and prepare a stronger lineup for IPL 2026.

See Also: Chennai Super Kings retained and released players list ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Gujarat Titans 2026 Retained Players 

GT have retained Shubman Gill as captain, along with Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Nishant Sindhu, Arshad Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Brar, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Jayant Yadav and Glenn Phillips.

Gujarat Titans 2026 Released Players

The released players include Sherfane Rutherford (via trade), Gerald Coetzee, Kulwant Khejroliya, Karim Janat, Dasun Shanaka and Mahipal Lomror.

Gujarat Titans 2026 Traded Players

GT traded Sherfane Rutherford to the Mumbai Indians for ₹2.6 crore as part of their pre-auction squad updates.

Gujarat Titans Remaining Purse

The Gujarat Titans will enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a remaining purse of ₹12.9 crore.

While the retention list announcement date (November 15, 2025) is almost close before the IPL 2026 auction, which has been scheduled on December 16, 2025, the IPL franchises have started to announce their trades too. 

IPL 2026: List of traded players

Shardul Thakur (Lucknow Super Giants to Mumbai Indians)

📰 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗨𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗞𝗨𝗥 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗠𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗜 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗣𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Read more 👉 https://t.co/bwcjR4dDQs pic.twitter.com/NjvmKRA3NZ

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 13, 2025

Indian right-arm pacer Shardul Thakur has been traded from Lucknow Super Giants to Mumbai Indians. ESPNcricinfo has reported that the trade deal happened via an all-cash. While Thakur remained unsold at the IPL 2025 auction, he joined the LSG as the repalcement for injured Mohsin Khan and started the IPL 2025 journey strongly with six wickets in his first two games of the season. He finished the season as the joint second most wicket-taker for LSG with 13 wickets in 10 games. 

Mumbai Indians are set to become the seventh IPL team for Shardul Thakur, who has recorded 107 wickets in 105 IPL matches. 

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Sherfane Rutherford (Gujarat Titans to Mumbai Indians)

📰 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗘 𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗠𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗜 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦

Read more 👉 https://t.co/13g4GNOoRY pic.twitter.com/cKqUu5zlbT

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 13, 2025

Mumbai Indians have also welcomed Caribbean cricketer Sherfane Rutherford, as the 27-year-old middle-order batter has been traded from Gujarat Titans to the five-time IPL champions. Sherfane scored 291 runs in 11 innings with an average of 32.33 and a strike rate of 157.29. He finished the season as the fourth most run-scorer for Titans, however, the franchise has decided to trade him out. 

Sherfane previously served for Delhi Capitals (IPL 2019), Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL 2022), and Gujarat Titans (IPL 2025), and the Caribbean cricketer is now set to serve for his fourth IPL team as Mumbai Indians have traded him in before the IPL 2026 auction. He has scored 397 runs in 23 IPL matches and also has picked up one wicket. 

Mumbai Indians have added significant firepower to their squad ahead of IPL 2026, securing West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford in a trade move from Gujarat Titans. The left-handed batter, who was acquired by GT for INR 2.6 crore, will join MI at the same fee as part of the pre-auction transfer window.

Rutherford, 27, comes into the season on the back of a productive year with Gujarat Titans, where he played 13 matches in IPL 2025, scoring 291 runs at a blistering strike rate of 157.29. Known for his explosive middle-order hitting and finishing ability, he strengthens an area MI has been keen to address following an inconsistent campaign last season.

West Indies power-hitter returns to MI as franchise boosts middle-order strength

This is not Rutherford’s first association with Mumbai Indians. He was earlier part of the MI squad in 2020, though he didn’t make the playing XI. Across his IPL journey so far, Rutherford has featured in 23 matches, representing Delhi Capitals (2019), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2022), and Kolkata Knight Riders (2024). Despite multiple franchise moves, he has shown glimpses of his match-winning potential, scoring 397 runs in the league at a strike rate of 137.37, including 25 fours and 26 sixes.

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On the international stage, Rutherford brings valuable experience, having played 44 T20Is for West Indies. He holds the record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20Is, a 139-run stand with Andre Russell against Australia in Perth. While primarily recognised for his batting, he also provides a part-time medium-pace option, with two T20I wickets to his name.

Rutherford’s arrival marks Mumbai Indians’ second trade acquisition ahead of IPL 2026. Earlier, the franchise confirmed the signing of India all-rounder Shardul Thakur, signalling a strategic push to strengthen both their middle order and pace-bowling depth.

With two impactful additions already secured, Mumbai Indians are shaping up strongly heading into the IPL 2026 auction. Rutherford’s finishing ability and power-hitting versatility could prove crucial as the five-time champions look to rebuild for another title push.