Aakash Chopra Highlights Gujarat Titans' Key Weaknesses Ahead of IPL 2026

Concerns for Gujarat Titans

Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer, has raised concerns regarding the Gujarat Titans' reliance on their top-order batting and the current struggles of star player Jos Buttler as they prepare for the IPL 2026 season.

Despite reaching the playoffs in IPL 2025, the Titans were eliminated by the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator match. Key contributors to their playoff run included Sai Sudharsan (759 runs), Shubman Gill (650 runs), and Jos Buttler (538 runs).

Overreliance on Top Order

In a recent YouTube video, Chopra emphasized that the Titans depend excessively on their top three batsmen. He noted that while this strategy was effective last season, it is crucial for at least one of these players to remain at the crease until the 15th over.

"What are their weaknesses? They can be termed as challenges. There is a noticeable overdependence on the top three. If they can replicate last year's performance, it means the top three should ideally bat until the 14th or 15th over, with at least one of them remaining until then. Ideally, the team should only lose one wicket by the 14th or 15th over," Chopra explained.

Jos Buttler's Form Under Scrutiny

Chopra also voiced his worries regarding Jos Buttler's recent form, describing it as "pedestrian" compared to his previous performances. He cautioned that if Buttler's difficulties persist, it could pose a significant issue for the Gujarat Titans, as they cannot depend on both openers to deliver runs consistently.

Buttler's performance at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 was notably underwhelming, as he managed only 87 runs across eight matches held in India and Sri Lanka. "The reality is that Jos Buttler's current form is quite ordinary. We haven't seen him perform this poorly in any World Cup before. He struggled even in favorable conditions. This raises concerns for the Gujarat Titans. You want to start with Jos Buttler, but what if he isn't in form? Both openers can't score runs every time," Chopra added.

Upcoming IPL 2026 Campaign

The Gujarat Titans are set to begin their IPL 2026 journey on March 31, facing off against the Punjab Kings at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.