With an eye on the future, Gujarat Titans (GT) have retained their top stars Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan before the IPL 2025 mega-auction. GT had their worst-ever IPL season under Shubman in 2024 and they crashed out from the league stage. But Shubman has been backed by the franchise and he has been retained for a sum of Rs 16.5 crore.
Shubman is a legend in the making and he is already being groomed for India's leadership role. He was appointed India's white-ball vice-captain after the 2024 T20 World Cup and could replace Rohit Sharma after he retires.
Rashid Khan will earn more than Shubman and will have a salary of Rs 18 crore. He joined GT before the IPL 2022 mega-auction for Rs 15 crore. Rashid was GT's vice-captain in IPL 2022 and 2023 but was pipped by Shubman for captaincy in 2024.
GT have also retained Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Tewatia. Sudharsan has been one of GT's best batters and it's no surprise that he has been retained for Rs 8.5 crore.
Tewatia and Shahrukh are uncapped in international cricket and they have a salary of Rs 4 crore each. Tewatia joined GT for Rs 9 crore in IPL 2022 mega-auction and won many matches for the franchise. Shahrukh was roped in by GT for Rs 7.4 crore. He has been part of the national team.
GT were hit by big blow before IPL 2024
Gujarat Titans were hit by a big blow before IPL 2024 as Hardik Pandya left the franchise to join Mumbai Indians (MI) in the biggest trade in IPL's history. GT enjoyed a purple patch under Hardik's captaincy.
They won their debut IPL season in 2022 with a win over Rajasthan Royals in the final. GT made it to the final of IPL 2023, where they lost to Chennai Super Kings in a last-ball thriller.
GT didn't make it to the second round under Shubman and will hope that he does the job in IPL 2025. Gary Kirsten left GT after IPL 2024 to join Pakistan cricket team. He has left his job as Pakistan's head coach.