The Gujarat Titans (GT) started off their IPL 2025 season very well, winning four matches out of the first five. However, the franchise lost its rhythm at the end of the tournament. They will try to rectify the situation and the first step will be the GT released players 2026 list.
The batting was mainly supported by Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler besides others; the bowling unit, however, was not as lively as it once was when it was GT’s championship-winning side. With IPL 2026 Auction round the corner, the management is going to shake up the team by putting several underperforming players at risk of being released.
On the other hand, some big names might just avoid being on the GT released players 2026 list thanks to their experience, talent, and ability to recover. Let us take a look at three such players.
Gujarat Titans Could Release Ahead of IPL 2026
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan continues to be the mainstay of GT’s bowling department despite having two successive dull IPL seasons. Rashid, the deputy of Shubman Gill, was not at his best in IPL 2025 where he took only 9 wickets in 15 matches with an average of 57.11 and an economy rate of 9.34 which were far below the level he has set.
In IPL 2024, the Afghan spinner was able to claim only 10 wickets in 12 games but at a much lower average of 36.70 and had the second-highest economy rate of 8.40 throughout the season.
On the other hand, the incorporation of Rashid into the GT released players 2026 list would be no less than a huge risk. His qualities as a leader, skill to dominate the middle overs, and the ability of playing crucial innings near the end make him a key player. Furthermore, Rashid’s global T20 fame proves that he still is a player who can change the outcome of a match all by himself. It is very likely that the Titans will support their recognized match-winner for at least another year, counting on his experience to guide the young spin department. Rashid’s recent performance is also a positive factor as he has taken 22 wickets for Afghanistan in his last ten outings across three ODIs and seven T20Is.
Gerald Coetzee
The South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee had a bad IPL 2025 season as he could only take two wickets in four matches with an average of 65.50 and a high economy rate of 10.91. His problems of losing rhythm, not maintaining consistency, and not being reliable in Indian conditions were visible, even though the large boundaries and red-soil pitches at Ahmedabad were favorable for his hard lengths. Nonetheless, he is not likely to get drafted in the GT released players 2026 list.
The sheer speed of Coetzee, the fire in his belly, and the power he can deliver through the ground makes him an extraordinary find. Considering the fact that there are no players of his quality, the Titans may decide to keep him as a long-term project. With his workload being managed more wisely and some tactical fine-tuning, Coetzee would be able to become a very strong force on fast bowling friendly pitches.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is another South African pacer who has not met the expectations. He had an IPL 2025 season to forget, which was in part due to a ban that kept him out of several matches. In the four matches that he was able to participate in, the pacer took two wickets at a very high average of 81 and with his economy rate of 8.61. His new ball spells were not impressive at all and he also had a hard time in the death overs.
However, Rabada’s huge experience and class may still give him a chance. His recent performances are a testament to this, as he took nine wickets in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia and five wickets in a three-T20I series against the same opposing team in Australia. He may avoid being on GT released players 2026 list after all.
Rabada, who is always known for his great come-backs after the off-season, is still the proven performer in T20 leagues globally. GT might not only retain him for the mentoring role of younger bowlers, but also for his ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs in high-pressure games.
