The Gujarat Titans have only one league-stage encounter remaining in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign; all they would want to ensure is collecting a win from it and finishing with 18 points with a positive net run rate. While GT might still qualify for the playoffs without a win, getting two points will give them the cushion of getting another go at the playoffs, in case they falter in Qualifier 1. 

Legendary IPL cricketer Piyush Chawla believes that these are worrying signs for the Titans, with their upcoming game being a must-win encounter for a chance of finishing in the top two at the end of the league stage fixtures. Chawla believes that if GT can beat Chennai Super Kings in their final league match, it will be the safest position for them before heading into the playoffs.

"Gujarat Titans will be worried because they would want to finish in the top two. They still have the ball in their court. They have a game against CSK left. If they win that one, they will definitely finish in the top two. But if not, then net run rate and all those things will come into the picture," Chawla was quoted as saying by JioStar.

"You want to be safe because you don't want to be dependent on others, especially at this stage of the tournament. The things that are in your control, you just want to make sure you do them really well," Chawla expressed further.

Notably, GT find themselves on the second spot on the points table following their 29-run loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. They will now be up against the five-time champions for their last dance in the league stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday, May 21. Fans of the Shubman Gill-led side will be hooked onto their screens, hoping for a positive outcome from this match.