Mumbai, March 21 (NationPress) The recent decision by selectors to exclude Shubman Gill from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup has ignited his determination to lead his team, the Gujarat Titans, to victory in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Last year's title slipped through their fingers, and Gill is poised to make a significant comeback.

Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara believes that this setback will fuel Gill's ambition as he aims to guide the Gujarat Titans (GT) to glory in IPL 2026, which is set to commence on March 28.

The Titans, who clinched the championship in 2022, faced disappointment last season, falling short in the Eliminator during IPL 2025. This year, their goal is to go beyond that hurdle and secure their second trophy.

During a discussion on JioHotstar’s ‘Game Plan – Know Your Team’, cricket analyst Cheteshwar Pujara elaborated on how the T20 World Cup omission might actually inspire Shubman Gill in IPL 2026:

“Being left out of the T20 World Cup squad will undoubtedly motivate Shubman Gill. He is an exceptional talent across all formats. If he excels in IPL 2026, he could certainly find his way back into India’s T20I squad. Leading the Test team and captaining the ODI side, Gill is a versatile player. A successful season will definitely put him back in the selectors' radar for the national team.

“While there may be pressure on him due to his absence from the T20 squad, it also presents a fantastic chance for him to showcase his batting skills. He needs to focus on increasing his scoring rate, which is something he has been working towards. This IPL season is ideal for him to demonstrate that he can maintain a strike rate of 150 to 160,” Pujara stated.

As for Ashok Sharma, the fast bowler purchased by the Gujarat Titans for Rs 90 lakh, Pujara expressed that he could make his IPL debut this season. He emphasized the advantage Sharma has in learning from former Indian pace legend Ashish Nehra in his inaugural year.

“Having your first IPL experience with a strong team like GT and under Ashish Nehra's mentorship is a tremendous opportunity for Ashok Sharma. While he may not break into the playing XI immediately due to competition from Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada, it wouldn’t be surprising if Rabada is eventually sidelined. If they consider bringing in someone like Jason Holder, who is in top form in T20 cricket, they could opt for Ashok Sharma as an additional Indian seamer instead of Rabada. However, the initial phase of the IPL will likely see them stick to their previous lineup,” Pujara added.

Furthermore, Pujara assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the Gujarat Titans, predicting that their abundant resources position them as strong title contenders this season.

“GT appears to be a top contender for the title this year. Their top order, featuring Captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler, is phenomenal. This trio has been consistently scoring, which is a major asset for the team.

“The variety of all-rounders, particularly with the inclusion of Jason Holder, enhances their squad's strength. Holder is performing exceptionally well with both bat and ball, and he will be eager to contribute significantly in both areas. Rahul Tewatia is expected to be a key finisher, with the ability to bowl a few overs if required. Shahrukh Khan is another crucial player; if he realizes his full potential, GT will transform into a formidable side.

“Defensively, their bowling attack is robust, led by Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna as their main seamers. Ishant Sharma is also available on the bench. Ashok Sharma is expected to unleash his pace at some point in the season. Left-arm bowler Luke Wood is another asset who can step in if Rabada falters. However, all GT fans will be hoping for a stellar performance from Rabada, given his reputation as a strike bowler,” concluded Pujara.