GT's Buttler dilemma: Is Banton the right fit for IPL 2027?
Synopsis
Abhinav Mukund has put Gujarat Titans on notice: if Jos Buttler is unavailable for IPL 2027, the franchise must decide fast whether Tom Banton or Glenn Phillips can truly fill that void. The same roster pressure is building at Sunrisers Hyderabad, where Travis Head's availability and Harshal Patel's dismal return raise hard retention questions.
Key Takeaways
Abhinav Mukund questioned Gujarat Titans' middle-order planning for IPL 2027 , highlighting Jos Buttler's uncertain availability.
Mukund named Glenn Phillips and Tom Banton as potential replacements but stressed neither is a straightforward like-for-like swap.
He backed Sunrisers Hyderabad's signings of Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis as smart pace-bowling reinforcements.
Mukund advised against retaining Travis Head , citing likely scheduling conflicts and ample auction alternatives.
Harshal Patel's record of zero wickets in 5 matches at ₹8 crore was flagged as a retention risk, especially with T Natarajan now available.
Former India batter Abhinav Mukund has raised pointed questions about Gujarat Titans' middle-order planning ahead of the 2027 Indian Premier League (IPL), flagging the uncertainty around Jos Buttler's availability and asking whether Glenn Phillips or Tom Banton can realistically step into the breach.
GT's Middle-Order Puzzle
With franchises finalising squad combinations ahead of the IPL 2027 retention deadline, Mukund believes Gujarat Titans face some consequential calls — none more pressing than what to do if the England wicketkeeper-batter Buttler is unavailable. The GT management may be forced to rethink its overseas combination and the specific roles of its middle-order contributors.
Mukund pointed to both Phillips and Banton as credible options while cautioning that filling Buttler's shoes demands careful thought. 'What are you doing with your middle order? Last year, that was a big issue for you. You couldn't play Glenn Phillips because Jason Holder came in and he did wonderfully well, and Rashid obviously picks himself and maybe Rabada. If Jos is unavailable, are you going to trust Phillips at three? Because Glenn Phillips can do anything on a cricket field, and Tom Banton can also keep wickets. So, these are two players that you'll have to think whether there is a spot. But is Tom Banton the ideal replacement for Jos Buttler? That is something you'll have to think,' Mukund said.
SRH's Pace Reinforcements
Mukund also endorsed Sunrisers Hyderabad's move to reinforce their pace attack through the signings of Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis. He noted that SRH's young Indian pace unit struggled in the previous season after Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel failed to deliver. 'Khaleel Ahmed, a new-ball specialist — their thinking in that direction makes sense. And alongside Khaleel, a replacement or a backup for Pat Cummins in case he isn't available, so Nathan Ellis comes in as a backup and it looks like both parties have actually benefitted from this deal,' he said.
Travis Head Retention: Mukund's Take
Looking further at SRH's squad planning, Mukund suggested the franchise may not need to commit to retaining Australian opener Travis Head, given potential international calendar conflicts that could affect his availability. 'Travis Head may not be available next season, so the same concept with regards to Pat Cummins and other Aussie players could apply to him. But would you retain a Travis Head? I wouldn't, because I feel like there will be multiple such options at the mega auction. So, if he is unavailable for this season, you could release him,' Mukund said.
Harshal Patel's Place in Question
Mukund also questioned whether SRH should continue backing Harshal Patel, who reportedly managed only 5 matches, a strike rate of 111, and zero wickets last season at a price tag of ₹8 crore. With T Natarajan now in the mix, Mukund argued there is a strong case to revisit Patel's retention. He added that SRH, without significant trade activity, could potentially compete with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for players at the mini auction. The IPL 2027 retention decisions are expected to shape franchise strategies well before the auction window opens.
Point of View
He was the axis of their batting order. Neither Phillips nor Banton offers the same combination of power, composure, and wicketkeeping flexibility, and choosing between them is not a straight swap — it is a tactical reconfiguration. At SRH, the Travis Head question is equally loaded: retaining a player who may miss significant chunks of the season locks up a roster slot that a fully available option at auction could fill more reliably. The broader theme here is that IPL franchises are increasingly vulnerable to the international calendar, and the franchises that build in structural redundancy — not just star power — will have the most durable squads in 2027.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Abhinav Mukund say about Gujarat Titans' IPL 2027 squad?
Mukund raised concerns about GT's middle-order combination for IPL 2027, specifically questioning whether Tom Banton or Glenn Phillips could replace Jos Buttler if the England batter is unavailable. He emphasised that replacing a player of Buttler's calibre requires careful thought rather than a straightforward substitution.
Why is Jos Buttler's availability a concern for Gujarat Titans?
Buttler's availability for IPL 2027 is uncertain due to potential England international commitments and scheduling conflicts. If he cannot feature, GT would need to restructure their overseas combination and find an alternative wicketkeeper-batter in the middle order.
What did Mukund say about Sunrisers Hyderabad's new signings?
Mukund backed SRH's additions of Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis, calling Khaleel a smart new-ball specialist pick after the team's young pace unit underperformed in the previous season. He described Nathan Ellis as a credible backup for Pat Cummins, saying both the franchise and the player benefit from the deal.
Should SRH retain Travis Head for IPL 2027?
Mukund said he would not retain Travis Head, arguing that if the Australian opener is unavailable due to international scheduling, there would be multiple comparable options available at the mega auction. He suggested it makes more sense for SRH to explore alternatives rather than commit a retention slot to a player who may not be present for key matches.
Is Harshal Patel likely to be retained by SRH for IPL 2027?
Mukund cast doubt on the case for retaining Harshal Patel, pointing to his record of zero wickets in five matches with a strike rate of 111 last season, at a cost of ₹8 crore. With T Natarajan now in the squad, Mukund implied SRH have better value options and may consider releasing Patel.
