Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shubman Gill has the perfect motivation to deliver a standout campaign in IPL 2026 after missing out on India’s T20 World Cup squad.Speaking on JioHotstar, Pujara backed the Gujarat Titans captain to respond strongly, stressing that Gill remains a complete, multi-format player who can force his way back into India’s T20I setup with a strong showing this season.“The T20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill. He 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. If he has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team,” Pujara said.Pujara acknowledged that the omission could bring added pressure but also described it as a major opportunity for Gill to showcase his growth in the shortest format. He emphasised that improving his scoring rate will be key.“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 to 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,” he added.Explaining why Gujarat Titans could emerge as strong title contenders, Pujara highlighted the consistency and firepower of their top order, which includes Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler.“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,” he said.He also pointed to the depth provided by all-rounders, particularly the addition of Jason Holder, while identifying Rahul Tewatia as the side’s primary finisher and Shahrukh Khan as a potential game-changer.“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. Shahrukh Khan is also a key player. If he starts performing as per his potential, GT will be a different team altogether,” Pujara said.On the bowling front, Pujara underlined the strength of GT’s pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, with experienced backup and variety in the squad.“When it comes to bowling, their strength is their seamers. Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and 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. 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 concluded.Gujarat Titans will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on March 31. They will then play their first home game against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4, followed by an away clash against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 8. Their next fixture is against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on April 12.
