This Gujarat Titans (GT)a franchise that was built on consistent performance in its opening years ran away, albeit disappointingly in the end Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. 4th in the points table with 9 wins from 14 matches, well into the playoffs, but those who bow at the hands of me.
Despite a strong league stage performance, the team’s ability to capitalize on its core strength has been hampered by a high-value player and a lack of depth in key areas exposed in crucial knockout games. In particular, expensive foreign signings and retained domestic all-rounders have failed to deliver match-winning contributions relative to their price tags. To free up a significant portion of the auction purse and find more impactful talent, GT needs to strategically release financially challenged players ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
5 Players Gujarat Titans Can Leave IPL 2026 Auction Ahead
1. Kagiso Rabada (foreign pacer)
- Contract value: INR 10.75 crores
- Release reason: High cost, minimal availability and poor performance
GT provided Kagiso Rabada At a high price, it is intended to be an elite pace spear for him. However, his IPL 2025 season has been plagued by erratic form and off-field issues, leading to limited participation in the field. In just 4 matches, he takes 2 wickets in 2 at a very high average of 81.00 and economy rate. Given the presence of some other quality packers Muhammad Siraj With a hefty price tag consuming a significant overseas slot, his release is a necessary financial and tactical decision to find a more reliable, full offseason option.
2. Jayant Yadav (All-rounder / Spinner)
- Contract value: INR 75 lakhs
- Release reason: Minimal use and limited role
Despite not being re-signed for IPL 2025, Jayant Yadav has seen minimal playing time for GT, with him often unable to make the playing XI. As a finger-spinner, he competes with Rashid Khan and Washington Sundar, who are more helpers. Releasing an interior player with low usage but a significant price tag frees up a lineup slot to invest in an emerging interior wrist-spinner or a middle-order batter.
3. Ishant Sharma (Pacer)
- Contract value: INR 75 Lakh (base price)
- Release reason: Age, return and inefficiency
The veteran pacer was brought in for experience but played a modest IPL 2025. 7 matches, Ishant collected only 4 wickets at an expensive economy rate of 11.18. At 37, age and fitness make it a concern to maintain pace and consistency in T20 cricket. With his value low, GT should opt for a young, high-sided domestic pace attack to complement Prasidh Krishna and Muhammad Siraj. Releasing him is a strategic move to open a domestic squad slot for Indian Fast Bowling talent to develop.
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4. Gerald Coetzee (Foreign Pacer)
- Contract value: INR 2.40 crores
- Release reason: Inconsistent output and staff optimization
Signed as a PACE foreign selection, Gerald Coetzee is only 2 in 2025 in 4 matches in IPL 2025 and 3 in 2025 in 2025. While he is a promising talent, his inconsistent performances and injury history make him a high-risk catch for an outside slot. The Titans will want to optimize their limited outfield slots for players who guarantee guaranteed wins for Guaranteed Outfielders, and optimize for players who missed a move in order to get a more effective outfielder who can produce consistent results.
5. Karim Janat (Overseas All-rounder)
- Contract value: INR 75 Lakh (base price)
- Release reason: Minimal use and low impact
Afghanistan all-rounder was mainly used in IPL 2025 playing only 1 match. In that only appearance, he ran at an extremely expensive, disastrous economy rate of 30.00 and failed to score with the bat. His minimal field utility and high run potential justifies his retention. Releasing him would free up both an overseas player slot and a small portion of the purse to target a specialist player with a proven track record in T20 cricket.
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 2025 season. They finished third on the points table with nine wins out of fourteen matches.){kind=link}