With the mega auction for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) fast approaching, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set an October 31 deadline for teams to submit their lists of retained and released players. Among the key teams preparing for this auction is Gujarat Titans (GT), who won the IPL in their debut season and finished as finalists in 2023. However, GT struggled last season, partly due to the absence of key players like captain Hardik Pandya and pacer Mohammed Shami.
Gujarat Titans’ 2024 Season Recap
The Titans faced challenges during the 2024 season, with captain Hardik Pandya returning to his former team, Mumbai Indians, and veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami recovering from an injury sustained during the ODI World Cup. These absences significantly impacted the team’s performance, and they were unable to replicate their earlier success.
Retention Speculations
Gujarat Titans recently posted a cryptic social media message featuring Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan, their captain and vice-captain, hinting at a strong leadership duo for the upcoming season. However, the future of veteran speedster Mohammed Shami remains uncertain. Shami, who missed the 2024 season due to injury, addressed the media, stating that he has yet to hear from the Titans about whether they plan to retain him.
In a statement to Sportstak, Shami explained, “The decision lies firmly with the franchise. If they feel the need to retain me, then they will. Otherwise, they won’t. I haven’t had any word with them so far, but if they do give the option, then who would refuse them?”
Looking Ahead
As the auction draws closer, the Gujarat Titans, along with other franchises, will need to make critical decisions about player retention to ensure a competitive squad for the 2025 IPL season. The outcome of these decisions will significantly influence the team’s performance in the upcoming tournament.
The upcoming auction promises excitement as teams balance retaining star players like Shami with new signings to build a title-contending roster.
