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The Gujarat Titans (GT) finished eighth at the end of the league stage in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). With only five wins in 14 matches, the 2022 champions were never in the hunt for the playoffs.
Hardik Pandya's trade ahead of the auction was something the Titans never recovered from. The franchise, which reached great heights under Hardik's captaincy in 2022 and 2023, couldn't build on those performances with a depleted lineup.
Now, Gujarat find themselves in a position where they might have to press the hard reset button. While a few players, including captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rashid Khan, are untouchable, others might be on their way into the auction pool.
On that note, here are three top players that might have to be released by GT ahead of IPL 2025.
#3 Noor Ahmad
Noor Ahmad was an integral part of the Gujarat Titans bowling lineup in IPL 2024. Since then, he has gone from strength to strength. In the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League, he was one of the star performers for the St Lucia Kings, who clinched the trophy.
Noor has developed excellent control over the last year or so. Both his leg-spinner and his googly are landing on the intended spot more often than not, and he is proving hard to pick as well. The Afghanistan cricketer's batting and fielding have also improved considerably over the last few months, and he is turning into a complete T20 player.
However, GT and the other franchises might not value him at the ₹11 crore retention slab. While the Titans could still decide to adopt an unconventional route and keep hold of his services to form a dangerous pairing with Rashid Khan, the likelier option is for Noor to be released.
#2 David Miller
Again, the price tag might be the reason behind GT releasing a quality batter in David Miller. The South African has been an integral part of their franchise over the last three seasons and has played several valuable knocks for them. While he didn't have his best campaign in 2024, he still has a lot left in the tank.
The fact that Miller doesn't bowl or keep works against him. Gujarat might want to buy him back at the auction, either outright or through the RTM card. It's hard to see them shell out more than ₹11 crore for his services.
#1 Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami missed the 2024 edition of the IPL, but before that, he was a potent wicket-taking threat for the Gujarat Titans. A Purple Cap contender over the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, the fast bowler was deadly in the powerplay and chipped in with the odd over in the middle overs and at the death.
Indian pace options are hard to come by, especially bowlers of Shami's experience and caliber. However, with the fast bowler returning from a long-term ankle injury, it remains to be seen how he will fare. A bunch of reports have been circulating regarding his comeback, which has already been delayed by a fair degree. It's now a doubt whether the 34-year-old will be fit for India's tour of Australia next month.
Given the circumstances surrounding Shami's fitness, as well as the fact that he's getting on in age, GT will be understandably reluctant to pay anywhere close to the retention prices.
