Shubman Gill’s World Cup snub could fuel strong IPL season, says Pujara

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shubman Gill’s omission from the T20 World Cup squad could motivate him to deliver a strong IPL season. Pujara also backed Gujarat Titans as title contenders, highlighting their powerful batting line-up and strong pace attack.

Hyderabad: Former India star Cheteshwar Pujara says that the T-20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill in the coming IPL.

“Gill is a quality player suited for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will surely put his name in India’s T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and is also the ODI captain. He is a multi-format player,” Pujara said on the JioHotstar special show.

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“If he (Gill) has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team. There will be some pressure on him because he has not been part of the India squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to carry on batting the way he has. He needs to try and accelerate a little more because that is something he has been working on. This IPL season is the perfect one for him to show he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160,” Pujara explained.

On Ashok Sharma’s chances of breaking into the GT playing XI this season, Pujara said: “Playing your first IPL season with a team like GT, under the guidance of Ashish Nehra, will be a big opportunity for Ashok Sharma. He may not get into the playing XI immediately early in the season because you have Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada as the third seamer. But I won’t be surprised if Rabada misses out at some point.”

“If they think of bringing in someone like Jason Holder, who has been in prime form in T20 cricket, they could have an extra Indian seamer in Ashok Sharma instead of Rabada. That might be a combination GT can look at. But in the first phase of the IPL, their playing XI will likely remain as it was in the past.,” Pujara said.

On why Gujarat Titans are title contenders this season, Pujara felt that GT look like a title favourite this season. If you look at their squad, the top order of Captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler is incredible. You cannot have a better top order than them. These three have scored runs with amazing consistency. That is their main strength.

“The number of all-rounders they have, especially with the addition of Jason Holder, makes them even stronger. Holder is in great form with both, bat and ball, and will love to contribute in both departments. Rahul Tewatia will be their main finisher. He can bowl a few overs if needed, but his primary job is to bat well at number six or seven,” he said.

“Shahrukh Khan is also a key player. If he starts performing as per his potential, GT will be a different team altogether. When it comes to bowling, their strength is their seamers. Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna are their main pacers and Ishant Sharma is also on the bench if needed. Ashok Sharma will be unleashed with his fiery pace at some point in the season,” Pujara said.

“Left-armer Luke Wood is another seamer who knows how to do well. If Rabada does not perform, Wood can replace him. But I hope Rabada, being a strike bowler, has a good IPL. All GT fans will be hoping the same,” he said.