Gujarat Titans spent the opening weeks of IPL 2026 looking for the formula that would stabilise their campaign. Their batting was capable on its day, but the consistency that had defined their best seasons was proving elusive. That changed when Rashid Khan began to find his rhythm in the middle overs, and the results have followed almost immediately.

In back-to-back wins against Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rashid's contributions with the ball have been central to GT's ability to control the opposition's scoring at the critical phase of the innings. His unique combination of leg-spin with variations that are genuinely difficult to pick has always been one of the most prized assets in T20 cricket, and on the bigger Ahmedabad and Chennai surfaces, his ability to flight the ball and invite the drive has been particularly effective.

It would be impossible to discuss GT's recent improvement without acknowledging the impact of Jason Holder's introduction to the playing XI. The West Indian allrounder was brought in as a replacement when Glenn Phillips struggled for form, and Holder's immediate contribution with bat, ball and in the field gave the team a balance it had previously lacked. When a team has genuine all-round options, it takes the pressure off specialist bowlers like Rashid, who can bowl his best overs without the same defensive burden.

Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, GT's pace duo, have been among the tournament's better bowlers in recent weeks, and the combination of Rashid in the middle with Rabada and Siraj at the death has given captain Shubman Gill proper flexibility in his bowling rotations.

Match 46 against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad is GT's biggest game of the season so far. A third consecutive win would push them to within striking distance of a confirmed playoff position and would represent a genuine statement of intent. PBKS, despite their first defeat, remain one of the most powerful batting units in the competition, and Rashid's ability to disrupt the rhythm of Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer in the middle overs will be the defining factor of the match.

Shubman Gill's captaincy has been another positive, and the opener's form at the top of the order has been one of the under-reported stories of GT's second-half revival.