Anuj Rawat does not make GT's optimal XII. His WAR per match of 0.09 reflects a batter whose production sits below the replacement line for most roles. Across 43 T20 matches and 699 career batting balls, the sample is moderate but the results are mixed.

Why He Does Not Make the XI

GT's top-order batting slots go to Buttler, Gill, Sudharsan, Banton, Phillips, and Shahrukh Khan. Rawat's 0.09 WAR/M is below every batter in the optimal XII. His projected WAR/M of 0.03 for 2026 suggests the model does not expect improvement based on current data.

The issue is not a lack of talent. It is that Rawat's production across the PP and middle overs is too far below average for the model to justify a starting role.

Phase Profile

The death overs are Rawat's strongest phase. He strikes at 190 SR across 115 balls, with 199 SR against pace on 88 balls. That death-overs production is genuine and would be valuable in a finisher role.

The problem is everywhere else. PP SR of 92 across 167 balls is 60 points below the 152 average. Middle-overs SR of 109 across 152 balls is 36 below the 145 average.

Against spin specifically, 69 SR in the PP on 49 and 98 SR in the middle on 81 balls show a clear spin vulnerability. Opposition spinners can target Rawat with confidence in any phase before the death.

His death share of 39% shows he has batted in the death phase regularly. His xImpact of 43 suggests some underlying ability.

When Rawat Plays

Rawat enters the XI as a batting backup if one of GT's top-order batters is unavailable. His death-overs ability gives him a specific use case as a lower-order finisher, though Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan fill that role more effectively in the current XI.

If GT need a domestic batting option who can finish innings, Rawat is the leading candidate from the bench. His 199 death pace SR is a skill that has value in the right context.

What This Means for IPL 2026

Rawat's IPL confidence of 0.50 means the model has a reasonable amount of IPL-level data. His 190 death SR is a genuine skill, but the PP and middle-overs deficits are too large for the model to project him as a starter. He is a development option who could grow into a regular role if his non-death numbers improve. At 43, his career is young enough for meaningful improvement to occur.