Shubman Gill faces the heat after GT lets a win slip vs PBKS in IPL 2026 opener: ‘Captaincy left a bit to be desired’

Gujarat Titans faced scrutiny after a narrow loss to Punjab Kings in the IPL opener.

The Indian Premier League is usually decided by small moments, and the one between GT and PBKS felt like one of those games. It doesn’t take much for a game to turn, and that was the case here. Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, came under scrutiny after a tight 3-wicket loss to Punjab Kings in the opener. They did manage to pull things back with the ball for a bit, but some calls during the game felt off, and in the end, it raised more questions than answers.

Shubman Gill looks on during the 2026 IPL match between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. (AFP)

Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra didn’t hold back, questioning the Gujarat Titans’ over-reliance on their top order and the lack of structure in the middle order.

Chopra highlighted, “For the Gujarat Titans, the top three will have to fire because they are not giving themselves the opportunity to figure out a different way. Not many would believe it, but Glenn Phillips’ 25 is actually his highest score in the IPL so far. You would want him to contribute more consistently, and Washington Sundar also needs to score at a quicker rate because he seemed a bit stuck. They have continued with Shahrukh Khan, but I felt Kumar Kushagra also had a case for selection. GT need to rethink how their 4, 5, and 6 are structured.”The numbers from last season paint a pretty clear picture. GT’s top three, Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan, did most of the heavy lifting, putting together 1,967 runs, which was over 72% of the team’s total.

And that’s where the concern grows.

The middle order hasn’t quite offered the same assurance. Glenn Phillips, ruled out with an injury last season, hasn’t quite made an impact yet despite being known as a solid middle-order hitter. Washington Sundar, usually someone who can steady things and pick up the pace when needed, looked a bit short of intent in the opener. And then there’s Shahrukh Khan; he struggled to build innings last season, scoring 179 runs in 15 matches, which still raises a few questions, especially with someone like Kumar Kushagra waiting for his chance.

It’s a pattern that highlights Chopra’s concerns. When the top order fires, GT look in control, but the moment early wickets fall, the middle order hasn’t quite stepped up the way it needs to. This now brings the spotlight firmly onto leadership. Gill, leading in a high-pressure setup, now faces questions around tactical clarity and on-field decision-making. And that’s where the Gujarat Titans find themselves at a crossroads early in the season.

On this, Chopra further added, “Even the bowling plans were puzzling. Siraj still had two overs left when the game was almost done, and Prasidh Krishna was brought in quite late. Overall, Shubman Gill’s captaincy also left a bit to be desired.”

Because in the IPL, issues surface quickly, and if not addressed just as fast, they can define an entire campaign.