Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has offered a clear glimpse into the franchise’s strategy ahead of the crucial 2026 IPL mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. While teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (₹64.30 crore) and Chennai Super Kings (₹43.40 crore) enter the auction in a rebuilding phase with hefty purses, the Titans approach the event from a position of stability. With only five slots to fill and ₹12.90 crore remaining — the third-lowest purse among all teams — GT are banking on continuity rather than sweeping changes.
Nehra explained that Gujarat’s strategy has shifted from the aggressive overhaul of previous years. “Our core is set, and we have released only four to five players. So, we enter the auction with an open mind. When you’re making a team from scratch, it’s a different approach. But now, most of our slots are filled,” he said.
The Titans’ first-choice line-up, when fully fit, already features ten locked-in names: Jos Buttler, Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, M Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, and Mohammed Siraj.
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For the remaining openings, New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips — retained ahead of Sherfane Rutherford — is expected to slot in as a power-hitting overseas all-rounder, while Washington Sundar strengthens the Indian middle-order versatility. Nehra stressed that despite their smaller purse, GT are not under pressure. “We’ll see what we get based on our purse, because some teams have a lot more to spend. But we’re in a comfortable position,” he added.
Gujarat’s retained core includes key names such as Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Gill, Siraj, Tewatia, Shahrukh, Rabada, Washington Sundar, and several promising young domestic picks.
Purse remaining: ₹12.90 crore
Slots available: 5 (including 4 overseas)
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With a settled squad and clarity in leadership, the Titans head into the 2026 auction looking to fine-tune rather than rebuild — a luxury not many franchises possess this year.
