Shubman Gill Takes Pay Cut to Retain Core Group for Gujarat Titans

In a strategic move aimed at maintaining team cohesion, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has opted to take a pay cut, ensuring he will be the second player retained by the franchise ahead of the IPL mega auction. This decision comes as the franchise seeks to keep its core group intact following a successful season under Gill's leadership.

The Titans' first retention is star spinner Rashid Khan, with Gill following suit. The team is also expected to retain batsman Sai Sudharsan, along with two uncapped players, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan. This approach reflects the management's commitment to building a strong, cohesive unit for the future, with Gill viewed as a potential long-term leader in the Indian cricket setup.

According to IPL sources, Gill’s decision to take a pay cut is aimed at enabling the franchise to retain key players, which is vital for strengthening the team's competitive edge. The IPL retention guidelines indicate that the franchise will incur financial deductions from their auction purse for each retained player: ₹18 crore for the first player, ₹14 crore for the second, and ₹11 crore for subsequent capped players, while uncapped players will cost ₹4 crore each. If the Titans opt to retain five capped players, they will lose a total of ₹75 crore from their auction budget.

The mega auction is set to take place overseas in late November, and teams have been granted an increased auction purse of ₹120 crore, up from ₹100 crore in the previous year. In addition to the auction purse, a new performance pay structure has been introduced, which includes a match fee of ₹7.5 lakh per game.

With the ability to retain up to six players through either retention or right to match options, this year marks a historic high for the IPL, allowing teams to secure their top talents while building for the future.