'There are holes in the team' - R Ashwin on former champions ahead of IPL 2026

Former Indian cricketer R Ashwin has opined that the Gujarat Titans are an incomplete team ahead of IPL 2026, with a lot of holes in their team.

The former off-spinner believes that GT should be praised for compensation for the departure of Hardik Pandya, who left for the Mumbai Indians in 2024. There are holes in their middle order after the departure of Sherfane Rutherford, who was a solid presence in the middle order in their playoffs finish in 2025.

"When Hardik was there, they had an X factor in the middle order. They had an all-rounder who can bowl, and can finish as well. Ever since he has left, there has been a huge hole there. The way they have managed to recover after such a player left, they should be praised. Their recipe for success is the fact that they select a team based on their home ground conditions. They want to dominate their home turf. This time, there is more emptiness in this team," R Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin spoke of the concerns regarding Jos Buttler’s form. Buttler batted at number 3 last season, and scored 538 runs in 14 matches, but his form over the last six months, including a horror-show in the T20 World Cup is disheartening.

“Jos Buttler is at such a stage in his career where I think he is searching a little bit. The way he was playing in the T20 World Cup, it looked like he was playing down the wrong line. That is a matter of serious concern to me. If Jos Buttler does not have a good season, then which way will they turn to?" R Ashwin added.

Ashwin believes that Glenn Phillips is a reliable backup for Jos Buttler, if the Englishman’s form is a problem for GT. Phillips has developed into a genuine all-rounder over the years and is now one of New Zealand’s most-important all-format players. His aggressive batting balances out the play of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan. Ashwin praised the way he played Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling in the series prior to the World Cup. 

"I think Glenn Phillips is a good option, so how long will it take them to look in that direction? Glenn Phillips can bat, bowl, and can also sometimes keep wickets. He drops a few catches at times, but that can happen to anybody. The standard he has set is so high that it feels weird whenever he drops a catch. This guy also flies flights. Can you believe it? GT take chartered flights everywhere when they are travelling between cities, so this guy can do anything. He has not got many chances in the IPL. The way he handled Varun Chakaravarthy, there is enough credentials to show that Glenn Phillips is an improved batter. I hope he gets a good run with GT this year at Ahmedabad, this wicket will suit him," Ashwin said.

Gujarat Titans start their season against the Punjab Kings on March 31 at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur.