Ishant Sharma does not make GT's optimal XII but remains a meaningful squad option. His WAR per match of 0.16 is entirely bowling-driven, with a bowling WAR/M of 0.18 across 3032 career bowling balls and 147 T20 matches. He brings deep experience to the pace rotation.

Why He Does Not Make the XI

GT's optimal XII includes Siraj (0.35 WAR/M), Prasidh Krishna (0.26 WAR/M), and Holder (0.16 WAR/M) as the three pace options. Ishant's 0.16 WAR/M is competitive with Holder's, but Holder provides batting depth that Ishant cannot offer. Among pure domestic pace options, Siraj and Krishna both outperform him in the model's recent data window.

Ishant's age profile introduces additional risk. The model accounts for physical decline through its projection system, which forecasts a slight dip. But his experience and ability to perform under pressure partially offset that concern.

Bowling Profile

Ishant's PP economy of 7.1 with 77 wickets across 61% of his career overs is his defining strength. He is a PP specialist who extracts movement with the new ball. His height generates bounce that is difficult for openers to handle, particularly in the first few overs when the pitch is at its freshest.

His middle-overs economy of 8.3 with 19 wickets and death economy of 10.3 with 32 wickets are league average. He is not the bowler you want at the death, but he can hold his own in the middle overs.

His overall career economy of 8.0 across 511 overs is reliable. That kind of sustained performance over 147 matches is not a fluke.

When Ishant Plays

Ishant enters the XI when Siraj or Krishna is rested or injured. He is the third domestic pace option and the first replacement for either of GT's two primary pacers. On pitches with extra seam movement, his PP economy makes him particularly valuable as a new-ball option. His bounce and seam position are assets that become more dangerous when conditions assist pace.

In a 14 match league phase, GT will likely need Ishant for 3 to 5 matches if they manage workloads. That makes him a season-long contributor even without a starting berth.

What This Means for IPL 2026

Ishant's projected WAR/M of 0.15 and xImpact of 37 position him as a capable backup. His IPL confidence of 0.70 means the model trusts his numbers. GT's pace depth with Siraj, Krishna, Ishant, and Holder gives them 4 reliable options to fill 3 pace slots, providing rotation and rest flexibility across a long tournament. That depth is a competitive advantage that many IPL squads lack.