Gujarat Titans enjoyed a phenomenal run in the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League, bouncing back in style to finish second on the points table with nine wins from 14 league matches. Under the sharp leadership of Shubman Gill, the 2022 champions stormed through the playoffs to make their third final in five seasons, only to fall short in a tense five-wicket defeat against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Despite an outstanding campaign overall, the agonizing loss in the final exposed a few tactical vulnerabilities, underwhelming individual performances, and structural gaps within the squad. As the franchise looks ahead to IPL 2027, the management faces the tough task of fine-tuning their core to take that final step toward another trophy. With a major squad reassessment on the horizon, several underperforming or highly expensive stars could find themselves outside the franchise’s future blueprint. Let’s look at some players who could be released ahead of the next season.
5 players who might get released by GT ahead of IPL 2027
1) Shahrukh Khan
The powerful Tamil Nadu batter was bought by Gujarat Titans to act as their primary domestic finisher, but his 2026 campaign fell well short of expectations. Shahrukh Khan struggled immensely to find form, managing just 43 runs in 9 matches at a modest strike rate of 130.30. His lack of impact down the order eventually forced him out of the playing XI during the crucial latter half of the season. Given his hefty price tag and the team’s pressing need to fix a struggling middle-order that hit the fewest runs of any franchise in 2026, GT may decide to release the big hitter to free up much-needed auction purse.
2) Ishant Sharma
Veteran Indian pacer Ishant Sharma brought a wealth of experience and a towering presence to the Titans’ bench after being retained for INR 75 lakh. However, the realities of a demanding tournament format, tactical combinations, and fitness management meant he did not play a single match in the 2026 season. With GT already possessing premium local fast-bowling resources alongside frontline stars like Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, investing heavily in an aging backup quick who cannot break into the playing XI might no longer align with their long-term strategic plans.
3) Jayant Yadav
Retained as an experienced domestic off-spinner capable of choking runs and executing specific match-ups against left-handers, Jayant Yadav spent the entire 2026 campaign on the sidelines without playing a single match. With the emergence of dynamic young spin options like Manav Suthar and the world-class presence of Rashid Khan, Jayant found himself completely pushed out of the pecking order. In the modern IPL ecosystem, tactical specialist roles are increasingly being filled by younger, more flexible assets or the dynamic use of the Impact Player rule, making Jayant an obvious candidate to be released back into the auction pool.
4) Luke Wood
English left-arm quick Luke Wood added variety and raw pace to the squad depth, but like Ishant and Jayant, he was unable to break into the starting lineup and recorded zero appearances in the 2026 tournament. Because overseas slots are incredibly premium and heavily contested by impact match-winners like Jos Buttler, Glenn Phillips, and Kagiso Rabada, holding onto an unutilized foreign fast bowler is a luxury GT can no longer afford. The Titans will likely cut ties with the left-arm pacer in search of a more versatile foreign asset who fits their primary playing XI combinations.
5) Kumar Kushagra
Gujarat Titans invested in young wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra to add depth to their middle order and secure a potential long-term domestic finishing option. However, the youngster barely found opportunities to display his talent, largely because top-order stars like Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan consistently batted deep, both scoring over 700 runs in the tournament. When the middle order was suddenly thrown into high-pressure situations, most notably during the low-scoring final against RCB, the lack of game time and tactical exposure across the squad became apparent. As the franchise looks to build a more battle-tested middle order before IPL 2027, they may opt to release the young keeper in pursuit of established, heavy-hitting Indian finishers.
Rebuilding a championship core before IPL 2027
The heartbreaking final defeat in Ahmedabad proved that despite having a squad capable of reaching the summit, tactical adjustments are required to sustain dominance. Releasing these players will give head coach Ashish Nehra and the management the financial flexibility to target specialized depth in the auction. By moving on from underutilized resources, Gujarat Titans can plug their middle-order gaps, upgrade their pace reserves, and construct a squad perfectly equipped to reclaim the IPL title in 2027.
