GT have two Indians and one international as capped retentions, while two uncapped retentions, one of which has come as a shocking name.
Gujarat Titans (GT), the most consistent side in their first two years in the league, had a solid team with several quality players. However, they have made a few interesting choices with their retentions and releases, with a few names coming as a massive surprise.
They have two Indians and one international as capped retentions, while two uncapped retentions, one of which has come as a shocking name. While the player possesses incredible skillsets, he didn’t do enough to earn retention.
The first retention of Gujarat Titans, Shubman Gill should continue leading the team. He will open and anchor the innings, for he is among the finest innings builders in white-ball cricket.
He is a terrific player of pace and spin and can bat at different gears, making him an ideal opener for GT. Gill didn’t have a great IPL 2024 but proved his worth in the previous edition and will be a long-term investment for the Titans.
A runaway match-winner in T20s, Rashid Khan is rightly the second retention and will earn INR 16.50 crores as his IPL salary. Rashid is among the best-ever T20 players and contributes with both bat and ball.
He can bowl in different phases and is a genuine wicket-taker despite bowling tough overs for his side. Further, he is a solid lower-order batter and can consistently make handy contributions, making him an all-round package.
Among the finest young talents in the previous cycle, Sai Sudharsan is the third capped retention and will get INR 8.50 crores next season. Like Gill, Sai is also a terrific run accumulator and can bat at different gears, as visible in the league previously.
He is a terrific spin player, for he can access different parts of the ground and has different shots in his repertoire. Further, Sudharsan’s pace game has been ever-improving, and his power game, which still needs ample work, should be in its best position by the next season.
Rahul Tewatia was bought at a whopping INR 9 crores last mega auction but has agreed to be retained as an uncapped player, taking INR 4 crores. His primary role is batting in the lower order and providing impetus to the innings, for he is a hard-hitter of pace bowling.
While he can also contribute with the ball, Tewatia’s bowling value has shrunk massively due to the Impact Player rule, but there’s still room to use his bowling in some phases. Despite being only a specialist in the lower middle order, GT has shown faith, depicting his superior expertise in this department.
Shahrukh Khan impressed in patches last season, but the team has invested in him by keeping him as their second uncapped retention. He has mostly been used as a finisher, but his best comes when he gets a few balls before exploding, as visible during his big knocks last edition.
Shahrukh can also bowl useful off-spin, even though the Impact Player rule has taken it away largely, as in Tewatia’s case. He can be a long-term investment, and if used precisely, Shahrukh has much more to offer than his numbers in the league suggest.
| Retained Player | Price (INR) |
| Shubman Gill | 16.5 Crores |
| Rashid Khan | 18 Crores |
| Sai Sudharsan | 8.50 Crores |
| Rahul Tewatia | 4 Crores |
| Shahrukh Khan | 4 Crores |
| Total: | 51 Crores |
| Remaining Purse: | 69 Crores |
Gujarat Titans’ retentions show they have built a core for the future, focusing on talent over performances. A few players have to improve significantly, but with obvious talent, GT know their worth.
Almost all their retentions can serve the team for years, with the main target of solidifying the batting unit. They have spent INR 51 crores and are left with INR 69 crores to build the remaining side, with specialists for each department.
They have one Right To Match (RTM) available and might use it on David Miller or Mohammed Shami. Their exclusion might be due to their age, with Shami’s injury issues also playing a role.
Maybe Shahrukh’s inclusion could have been avoided, but the move is understandable. The team has a solid batting core, covering various aspects, and if they get one of Miller or Shami via RTM, they will have most of their performers in the previous cycle available again.
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