Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel has opened up about the franchise’s IPL 2026 retention strategy, shedding light on the detailed discussions, long-term planning, and the strong influence of captain Shubman Gill in shaping the squad. Speaking on JioStar’s IPL 2026 ‘Retention Special’, Parthiv highlighted that continuity was the biggest theme for the Titans this year, with the team choosing to retain its trusted core while making calculated releases to create space for future talent.
GT announced the retention of their main group, while releasing Dasun Shanaka, Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Gerald Coetzee, and Kulwant Khejroliya. Additionally, Sherfane Rutherford was traded to the Mumbai Indians, a move that created both balance and financial flexibility ahead of the 2026 mega auction.
Explaining the strategy behind the decisions, Parthiv said that the Titans’ goal was not to overhaul but to enhance. “The kind of squad we had built, it is very important for us to make sure that we keep that continuity going. And that’s exactly what we tried to do,” he said. “I thought last year in the auction we had built a solid squad. And unfortunately, we could not go all the way. I think that is the reason why we have not let go of a lot of players.”
The franchise has always prided itself on team stability and clear role definitions, traits that took them to the title in 2022 and consecutive playoff appearances. Parthiv stressed that even though GT retained the majority of their players, it was equally important to keep certain slots open for new talent. “Yes, but you still want to keep space for a few young players to come in or for few newcomers to come in,” he continued. “That is the reason why we’ve let go of Sherfane Rutherford, Gerald Coetzee, who again has not played too much cricket after the IPL finished. The rise of Washington Sundar in the last year is something we also considered — and that contributed to the decision regarding Rutherford.”
A major part of the retention process involved in-depth conversations with captain Shubman Gill, who has developed into a thoughtful and commanding leader over the last year. Parthiv was full of praise for Gill’s clarity and conviction. “Retaining players or letting go of players is not an overnight process,” he explained. “You try and see a lot of combinations and permutations, and then come to a conclusion.”
He added that Gill’s rising stature in international cricket played an important role in the planning. “I’ve seen Shubman very closely. I was fortunate enough to see his progress as a captain — the way he led the side in England, the way he led an experienced side in one-day cricket. We did take all of that into account. I’ve had quite a few chats with him. He is someone who’s very assertive about his thinking, and that actually helps us build the squad. It’s great to see how he’s leading the team internationally, and hopefully we can build on what we’ve done so far.”
For Parthiv, GT’s stability is their biggest strength. Despite releasing some younger names, he believes that the team retains a strong core of developing Indian talent. “We’ve let go of a few young players also, because we have quite a few young players in the side. I think we have a very solid and settled squad. That is the reason why we’ve not let go of a lot of players,” he reiterated.
While the core remains intact, the team is aware of a crucial gap: the overseas contingent. With several foreign players released ahead of the 2026 auction, GT will enter the upcoming auction with a clear objective — strengthening their overseas group and identifying impact players who can complement their existing squad.
The Titans have historically been strategic and disciplined in the auction room, and Parthiv’s comments suggest they intend to follow a similar blueprint in 2026. Expect them to target versatile all-rounders, pace options with death-over ability, and power hitters who can slot into flexible roles.
As GT prepare for the next chapter in their IPL journey, the message from the coaching staff is clear: trust the process, back the core, and stay open to evolution. With Shubman Gill’s assertive leadership guiding the way and a carefully curated squad taking shape, Gujarat Titans will once again enter the season as contenders — not just participants.
