Gujarat Titans, the reigning Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, have hinted at retaining their skipper Shubman Gill and star spinner Rashid Khan for the upcoming 2025 season. The franchise posted images of both players on social media, suggesting their retention ahead of the official announcement.
However, the absence of pacer Mohammed Shami’s photo in the post has raised questions about his future with the team. Shami has been a crucial member of the Titans since their inception in 2022, playing a pivotal role in their title victory that year. In IPL 2023, he continued to lead the Titans’ pace attack, finishing with an impressive tally of 28 wickets.
Shami’s recent struggles with injuries have cast a shadow over his retention prospects. He has been sidelined since the ODI World Cup final last November due to an ankle injury and a knee swelling issue. However, the 34-year-old has recently shown encouraging signs of recovery, bowling at full intensity in the nets.
Shami’s fitness and performance in upcoming domestic matches will be crucial in determining his fate with the Titans. He aims to play “one or two” matches to strengthen his case for selection ahead of the marquee tour of Australia starting next month.
The Titans’ decision on Shami’s retention will be closely watched by fans and experts alike. His experience and skill would be a valuable asset to the team, but his recent injury concerns may give the franchise pause.
