Cheteshwar Pujara believes. Shabman Gul After missing out on India’s T20 World Cup squad, IPL 2026 is the perfect motivation to put up a great campaign.Speaking on JioHotstar, Pujara backed the Gujarat Titans skipper’s tough response, asserting that Gill is a complete, multi-format player who could force his way back into India’s T20I set-up with a strong showing this season.
“Scrutiny of T20 World Cup squad will surely dismiss Shibman Gill. He is a quality player suitable for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will definitely make his name in India’s T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and in ODIs as well, he is an excellent captain, if he will be a multi-format captain. Back in the scheme of things for the Indian team, ” said Pujara.Pujara admitted that leaving him out could bring added pressure but called it a big opportunity for Gayle to show his development in the shortest format. He emphasized that improving his scoring rate would be important.“There will be some pressure on him because he hasn’t been a part of the Indian squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it’s a great opportunity for him to continue the way he bats. He needs to try to sharpen up a bit more as he’s working on it. This IPL season is ideal for him to bat at a strike rate of 150,” he added.Explaining why Gujarat Titans could emerge as strong title contenders, Pujara highlighted the consistency and strength of their top order, which includes Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler.“GT look like title favorites this season. If you look at their squad, the top order of skipper Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler is incredible. You can’t have a better top order than them. All three have scored runs with amazing consistency. This is their main strength,” he said.He also pointed to the depth provided by the all-rounders, particularly the addition of Jason Holder, while identifying Rahul Tiotia as the side’s primary finisher and Shah Rukh Khan as a potential game-changer.“The number of all-rounders they have has made them even stronger, especially with the addition of Jason Holder. Holder is in great form with both bat and ball and would love to contribute in both areas. Rahul Tyotia will be their main finisher. He can bowl a few overs if needed but his main job is to bat well at number six or seven. Shah Rukh Khan is also an important player. If he starts performing to his potential, GT will be a completely different team,” said Pujara.On the bowling front, Pujara highlighted the strength of GT’s pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, Mohammad Siraj and Parsid Krishna, with experienced backup and variety in the squad.“When it comes to bowling, their strength is their seamers. Kagiso Rabada, Mohammad Siraj, and Prasad Krishna are their main pacers, and Ishant Sharma is also on the bench if needed. Ashok Sharma will come in with his pace at some point in the season. Left-armer Luke Wood is another seamer who knows that if Rabada does well, if Wood doesn’t do well, I will replace him. Can take. Rabada, being a strike bowler, is good in IPL. All GT fans will be hoping for the same,” he concluded.Gujarat Titans will begin their IPL 2026 campaign on March 31 against Punjab Kings in Multanpur. She will then play her first home match against him. Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4, followed by an away match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 8. Their next match is against Lucknow Supergiants in Lucknow on April 12.
