Gujarat Titans made significant acquisitions during the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction 2026 held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The team’s most notable purchase was Jason Holder, acquired for Rs 7 crore. Other players added to their roster include Ashok Sharma, Tom Banton, Luke Wood, and Prithvi Raj Yarra. With Glenn Phillips and Washington Sundar already part of the squad, the addition of Banton enhances their middle-order options.
Parthiv Patel, the team’s assistant coach, stated that all three players—Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, and Tom Banton—are viable candidates for the number four batting position. He emphasized that player selection will depend on prevailing conditions. “When we pick a team, it’s in our mind that whichever player comes in should fit into the team and be ready to play,” Patel explained.
He further clarified that the decision will be influenced by pitch conditions and the team’s performance during practice. “No player is out of consideration,” he noted, highlighting the versatility of their available talent.
Addressing the decision-making process regarding acquisitions, Patel discussed why they opted for Tom Banton over Jamie Smith, even as Smith was bypassed by all franchises despite his impressive performance in the Test series against India earlier this year. He mentioned that Banton’s prior IPL experience played a crucial role in their decision-making.
“It’s not that we don’t have any interest in Smith. Tom Banton and Jamie Smith have similar skill sets, but Banton has more experience and is currently performing well in international cricket,” Patel stated. “That’s why we opted for Banton; he brings significant value in terms of experience and can bat at any position,” he added.
