Shubman Gill Set for Retention by Gujarat Titans Ahead of IPL Mega Auction
Sai Sudharsan also earned his spot for retention after a standout season where he scored 527 runs in 12 matches, including a century. His form has led to appearances in three ODIs and a T20 match for the national team.
The Gujarat Titans are gearing up for the upcoming IPL mega auction with significant moves, including the retention of captain Shubman Gill, star spinner Rashid Khan, and promising young batter Sai Sudharsan. According to reports, Gill will be retained for ₹18 crore, marking him as the franchise's first retention ahead of the auctions.
After taking over the captaincy from Hardik Pandya, who returned to the Mumbai Indians, Gill is seen as a key figure in the franchise's future. Despite leading the team to an eighth-place finish in IPL 2024, his leadership potential and talent have made him a valued asset. The Titans previously enjoyed immense success, winning the IPL title in 2022 and finishing as runners-up in 2023 under Pandya's guidance.
Rashid Khan's retention is expected, given his impressive performance in earlier seasons, where he took 19 wickets in 2022 and 27 in 2023. However, his performance dipped in the latest season, finishing with just 10 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 36.70.
Sai Sudharsan also earned his spot for retention after a standout season where he scored 527 runs in 12 matches, including a century. His form has led to appearances in three ODIs and a T20 match for the national team.
Additionally, uncapped players Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia are likely to be retained. Shahrukh made a significant impact with a strike rate of 169.33, while veteran Tewatia, with nearly 100 IPL games under his belt, had a stellar season, maintaining a strike rate above 145.
The mega auction is expected to take place overseas in the last week of November, with an increased auction budget of ₹120 crore, up from ₹100 crore in the previous year. The salary cap includes the auction purse, incremental performance pay, and match fees, with each game set to earn players ₹7.5 lakh for the upcoming season. Teams will have the flexibility to retain up to six players through retention or right-to-match options, marking a significant shift in IPL retention strategies.
