The Gujarat Titans have retained players like Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, and Shahrukh Khan reportedly before the Mega-Auction of IPL 2025, leaving them one Right-to-Match card. This retention has underlined the commitment towards an all-round core as has been seen in the lineup of Gujarat. Now ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, that’s scheduled later this year, the Titans will now work on building around such cornerstone players.
The retention costs for these players are not finalised, but retaining three international players and two uncapped players will reduce GT’s INR 120 crore purse by at least INR 51 crore. If GT want to pay more than the minimum retention cost, that amount too will be deducted from their budget. This strategic lineup presents against an October 31 retention deadline for all ten franchises, each permitted to retain up to six players: five capped internationals and two uncapped players.
Gill and Rashid have been mainstays in the team of the Titans since its very first season in 2022. Rashid was retained by the team at INR 15 crore as their first preference for the all-rounder position, while Gill entered the team at a price of INR 8 crore. Gill having already established his leadership skills, became the skipper of the team for the 2024 season after Hardik Pandya moved to the Mumbai Indians.
The Titans’ management must have viewed the addition of young left-hander Sudharsan, who batted in a rich vein to end up with 527 runs and an even strike rate of 141 runs from IPL 2024, as a tactical coup ahead of the senior and more experienced Mohammed Shami and David Miller. Discussions do the rounds about the potential debut of the player in the Indian Test line-up too.
The depth for the lower order is brought by Tewatia and Shahrukh, two known big hitters. Bought for INR 9 crore, Tewatia has been indispensable in the last couple of overs, acting almost like a guiding counsellor for the GT management in relation to domestic talent. And for INR 7.4 crore, he acquired Shahrukh- a right-hand off-breaker and powerful hitter with strong hitting capabilities- the rest of the retention pool.
Also, see:
Rajasthan Royals’ retained players ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction
