As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction approaches, the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise finds itself navigating the player market with a relatively modest purse of Rs 12.90 crore. Despite the limited budget, the team's management, led by owner Jinal Mehta, is entering the event with confidence, banking on a well-retained core squad and strategic acquisitions to fill specific gaps.
A Balanced Squad and the Search for a Finisher
The Titans' primary focus in the upcoming auction appears to be the search for a reliable finisher. Team management believes the rest of the squad is well-balanced, a philosophy that has been a hallmark of the franchise since its inception. The limited purse is itself a reflection of successful retention, as Mehta pointed out, indicating that keeping the core group together was a top priority.
"Our purse position at the auction reflects the fact that we have been able to retain the core of our squad, which was a key priority for us," Mehta told TOI. He added that with only a few slots to fill, the team is confident in its existing group and will look for additions that best complement it, emphasizing a philosophy of sustainable building and long-term strengthening.
Confidence in Leadership and Ahmedabad's Cricket Legacy
Mehta expressed unwavering faith in the team's leadership, particularly head coach Ashish Nehra. He credited Nehra, who has been with the Titans from the very beginning, for shaping the team's culture and direction. The consistency of Nehra and the coaching staff, according to Mehta, has been instrumental in building a strong, united group that has achieved significant success in a short period.
The owner also reflected on the significance of Gujarat, and Ahmedabad in particular, finally having a team to call its own in the IPL. He called it "strange" that it took so long for a cricket-loving city like Ahmedabad—a venue for historic moments from Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Sachin Tendulkar—to get an IPL franchise.
"I think Gujarati fans have really been yearning for an IPL team forever," Mehta said, highlighting how quickly the fan base embraced the Titans when the team was established. He proudly noted that in just four years, Gujarat Titans have emerged as one of the finest and most successful teams in the league.
The Business of Passion, Not Just Commerce
When asked about the experience of running a sports franchise as an accomplished businessman, Mehta drew a clear distinction. He stated that running an IPL franchise is "unlike any other business for sure." While there are common elements like team building and leadership, the IPL involves a significant component beyond pure business metrics.
"The key is really the passion," Mehta explained. "Unless you have a passion for the sport, you're going to see it only as a business. And when you see it only as a business, I think a franchise will not meet the expectations of the fan base or the players." He described the role as one of a custodian, with Torrent Group seeing itself as the custodian of the Gujarat Titans legacy, where emotion and passion are integral to the operation.
As the auction day nears, all eyes will be on whether the Gujarat Titans can utilize their Rs 12.90 crore purse effectively to secure the finishing power they seek, while continuing to build on the strong foundation that has defined their short but impressive IPL journey.
