Aakash Chopra Highlights Gujarat Titans' Key Weaknesses Ahead of IPL 2026
Concerns for Gujarat Titans Before IPL 2026
In a recent discussion, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra emphasized the Gujarat Titans' reliance on their top-order batting and the concerning form of star player Jos Buttler as potential weaknesses heading into the IPL 2026 season.
The Titans made it to the playoffs in IPL 2025 but were eliminated by the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator match. Their successful run was largely attributed to the impressive performances of Sai Sudharsan (759 runs), Shubman Gill (650 runs), and Jos Buttler (538 runs).
Chopra, in his YouTube video, pointed out that the team seems overly dependent on their top three batsmen. He noted that while this strategy proved effective last season, it is crucial for at least one of these players to remain at the crease until the 15th over.
He stated, "What are their weaknesses? They can be termed as challenges. There is a noticeable overreliance 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, you should only lose one wicket by the 14th or 15th over."
Chopra also raised alarms about Jos Buttler's current form, describing it as "pedestrian" compared to his usual standards. He cautioned that if Buttler's struggles persist, it could pose a significant issue for the Titans, as they cannot depend on both openers to consistently deliver runs.
Notably, Buttler managed to score only 87 runs in eight matches during the recently held ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
Chopra remarked, "The reality is that Jos Buttler's form is quite lackluster. We haven't seen him perform this poorly in any World Cup before. He struggled even in favorable conditions. So, will this be a concern for the Gujarat Titans? You want to start with Jos Buttler, but what if he isn't in form? Both openers can't be expected to score runs every match."
The Gujarat Titans are set to begin their IPL 2026 journey on March 31 against the Punjab Kings at the PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.