Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has provided a crucial analysis of the Gujarat Titans' strategy, highlighting a potential change in the role of their star Afghan leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, for the upcoming Indian Premier League season in 2026. Kumble suggested that the franchise might need to manage its premier bowler differently in the evolving T20 landscape.
The Evolving Threat of Rashid Khan
Speaking as an expert on the 'TATA IPL Auction Review' show on JioStar, Kumble pointed out that the element of surprise surrounding Rashid Khan has diminished. "I think the novelty of Rashid Khan has worn off a little," Kumble stated. He explained that with many similar bowlers now available, Rashid is not as intimidating as he once was. This shift necessitates careful workload management, especially alongside other spin options like the left-arm orthodox bowler Sai Kishore.
Kumble also emphasized that all-rounders within the squad could see increased responsibility. He specifically mentioned that players like Rahul Tewatia and Washington Sundar are poised to contribute more significantly for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 campaign. This indicates a move towards a more balanced team strategy rather than over-reliance on a single match-winner.
Expert Views on GT's Auction Strategy and Key Players
Another former India all-rounder and JioStar expert, Irfan Pathan, shared his thoughts on Gujarat Titans' acquisition of West Indies veteran Jason Holder. Pathan called the move an interesting bet, noting Holder's prowess with the new ball and his improved batting, particularly his six-hitting ability. "GT has put a lot of faith in that," Pathan remarked regarding Holder's enhanced skills.
Pathan identified the team's top-order batting as its primary strength, naming Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and the newly acquired Jos Buttler as the key trio. He also stressed the importance of how GT utilizes Washington Sundar, whose batting has seen improvement, and the critical role of the middle-order, likely to be filled by someone like Glenn Phillips.
Building a Balanced Squad with Left-Arm Flair
Former India opener Abhinav Mukund, also a JioStar expert, decoded Gujarat Titans' apparent preference for left-arm pace and all-round capabilities. He noted the presence of left-arm quicks like Prithviraj Yarra and Luke Wood, alongside Ashok Sharma, who had an outstanding Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy season.
Mukund explained that Jason Holder's role is specifically tailored to bat and finish innings at number six or seven while bowling a couple of crucial overs. This need for a death-over finisher stems from the team's powerful top order. He recalled that last season, GT often did not field all four overseas players, suggesting flexible combinations where Holder and Phillips could play specific roles.
Concluding his analysis, Mukund praised the franchise's core, stating, "Overall, they still look like a brilliant side. They have the best young Indian talent." He also wished luck to the new coaching leadership of Parthiv Patel and Ashish Nehra in managing this talented bench strength for the IPL 2026 season.
