IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans Likely To Retain Five Core Players
Gujarat Titans (GT) are expected to retain five players going into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. Players expected to be retained from the side include Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan. This will give them only one right-to-match card option for the IPL 2025 auction. Budget Impact For Gujarat Titans Under the IPL rules, each franchise is allowed to retain as many as six players ahead of the 2025 auction, with the maximum allowed being five capped internationals and two uncapped. Retaining three capped players and two uncapped players will cost GT at least INR 51 crore from their INR 120 crore budget, though amounts for each of their contracts remain undisclosed. The minimum the IPL retain will be of INR 18 crore to the first, INR 14 to the second and INR 11 for the third; the minimum to the fourth will also be INR 18, and for the fifth, it’s INR 14. The value will be at INR 4 crore for the uncapped one, but the teams must negotiate themselves for more dollars. Gill And Rashid: The Franchise Pillars Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan are both the bedrock of the Gujarat Titans since it became part of the IPL. Gill was signed for a value of INR 8 crore, while Rashid was signed for the more handsome amount of INR 15 crore. With 24 years already ticking away, Gill was given the command when their former Captain Hardik Pandya was released to Mumbai Indians. For now, Rashid will go on to be one of their top bowling all-rounders. Rising Star Sudharsan The decision to prefer 23-year-old Sai Sudharsan over seasoned internationals such as Mohammed Shami and David Miller could raise some eyebrows, but GT sees him as a top-order mainstay for the future. Bought for INR 20 lakhs in 2022, Sudharsan, who had aggregated 527 runs in IPL 2024 with an average rising toward 48, brought back his strike rate as also up to 141. Already, he has long been considered a test prospect by India selectors and his team management, talking also on the eve of this Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Tewatia And Shahrukh: Power Down The Order Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan are the uncapped all-rounders who have been known to be powerful hitters. With this, GT has enriched its lower middle order further. Tewatia is an old finisher bought for INR 9 crore in 2022 and has given tremendous guidance to the leadership group with his insights on domestic players. Shahrukh is an extremely handy lower-order batsman and part-time off-spinner, picked in the 2024 auction for INR 7.4 crore and widely reckoned to be one of the hardest hitters in the domestic circuit. Final Retentions To Be Out Before October 31 Teams will be allowed to file their final list of retained players before October 31 as the IPL 2025 auction promises changes all round. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Here’s What Franchises Proposed Ahead Of 2025 Auction
In a series of feedback sessions with the Indian Premier League (IPL) officials, franchises have suggested several substantial changes to the player retention process, aiming to ensure more stability and strategic depth in team compositions. The next steps will be discussed in an upcoming meeting between IPL officials and franchise representatives, which will take place on 31st of July, 2024. Here are a couple of key suggestions from the franchises. 1. Mega Auction Cycle Change Franchises are advocating for the IPL mega auction to be held once every five years instead of the current three-year cycle. According to a senior franchise official, this change would offer multiple benefits, including the opportunity for teams to build continuity by developing young, especially uncapped Indian players. The longer cycle would incentivize franchises to continue investing in their grassroots academies without the immediate threat of losing nurtured talent to rival teams. 2. Retention and RTM Options Teams have proposed the ability to retain between four and six players, coupled with eight Right-to-Match (RTM) options. One of the franchise CEOs suggested allowing teams to retain one marquee player, such as the captain, with the rest being retained through RTMs, thus letting the market determine player prices and reducing potential dissatisfaction among retained players regarding their monetary value. 3. Salary Renegotiations Another proposal involves allowing franchises to renegotiate player salaries between mega auctions. This would help teams retain their core players and reach better terms with players originally acquired at lower prices. The process would be transparent, with new contracts declared to the IPL, however would be controlled by the franchise without players having the option to be released. Historical Context and Current Challenges Historically, the IPL has conducted mega auctions in four-year cycles twice in the last decade. The first was in 2018, following the 2014 auction and the return of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals from suspension. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2021 mega auction to be deferred by a year, leading to an extension of player contracts. Currently, franchises face challenges with players, particularly those who were uncapped and bought at low prices but have since become maga contributors or international players. These players might prefer re-entering the auction to secure higher contracts, which could be seen as unfair by the franchises that initially identified and developed them. Varied Responses to RTM-Only Proposal One of the franchises has proposed using only RTM options without any direct retentions, providing eight RTM options per team. The idea has received mixed reactions. Some franchises believe it promotes a level playing field, while others fear it could disrupt their auction strategy as rivals might drive up player prices. Focus on Fan Engagement Several franchises stretched on the importance of creating a loyal fan base. With frequent squad overhauls every three years, maintaining fan loyalty becomes challenging. Franchises argue that longer retention periods would help build stronger connections with fans, fostering a sense of loyalty and engagement. IPL officials and franchise representatives are expected to discuss these suggestions in detail in the forthcoming meeting. Other topics likely to be on the agenda include the Impact Player rule, which has received mixed feedback, the purse for the IPL 2025 auction and potential changes to the salary cap deduction for retained players. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
CVC Capital Partners To Offload Majority Stake In Gujarat Titans; Adani and Torrent Groups in Talks
CVC Capital Partners is reportedly looking to sell a majority stake in the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Gujarat Titans, according to a report in The Economic Times. The Luxembourg-headquartered private equity firm is in discussions with the Adani Group and Torrent Group to transfer control of the franchise, which is currently valued between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. CVC Capital to Retain Minority Stake CVC Capital, which purchased the Gujarat Titans for $745 million in 2021, plans to retain a minority stake in the team. The move comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) lock-in period, which prevents new teams from selling stakes, is set to end in February 2025. Gujarat Titans: A Rapid Rise in Value The Gujarat Titans franchise, based in Ahmedabad, is only three years old but has already achieved decent success, including winning its maiden IPL title in the IPL 2022 season. The franchise’s rising popularity has significantly increased its market value, making it an attractive acquisition target for major conglomerates. Adani and Torrent: Ahmedabad-Based Contenders Both Adani and Torrent Groups are based in Ahmedabad. The Adani Group, which has already made a couple of investments in cricket, including owning the Gujarat Giants franchise in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and participating in the UAE-based International League T20 with their team, Gulf Giants, had previously bid Rs 5,100 crore for the Gujarat Titans in 2021 but was outbid by CVC Capital. In 2023, Adani secured the WPL franchise, Gujarat Giants with a top bid of Rs 1,289 crore. Torrent Group’s Potential Cricket Debut Torrent Group, although yet to enter the cricket arena, is showing interest in acquiring the Gujarat Titans. The move would mark Torrent’s debut in the sport. CVC Capital’s Diverse Sports Portfolio CVC Capital’s investment portfolio extends beyond cricket. The firm holds stakes in various sports entities, including LaLiga, Premiership Rugby, Volleyball World, and the Women’s Tennis Association. The potential sale of a majority stake in the Gujarat Titans aligns with CVC’s strategic management of its diverse sports investments. As negotiations progress, the cricket community keenly watches the potential shift in ownership, anticipating the impact on the franchise and the broader dynamics of the IPL. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2024 : Gujarat Titans’ Special Jersey vs KKR Revealed, Know the reason
For their last IPL 2024 home game in the league against Kolkata Knight Riders, the Gujarat Titans will wear lavender jerseys instead of their usual dark blue ones. The Titans did the same thing in 2023 for a game against SRH. Lavender is a colour often used to raise awareness about esophageal cancer, but it’s also used to represent all types of cancer. The players want to show their support for fighting cancer during their final home game on May 13, 2024. They hope this gesture reminds people how important it is to detect cancer early and have good healthcare for better results. GT Captain, Shubman Gill believes it’s important for players to spread awareness and educate the community about such causes. Back in 2015, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) also wore lavender jerseys for the same reason. This idea came from Yuvraj Singh, who survived cancer and started the YouWeCan Foundation, which helps fight cancer in India. “The Gujarat Titans are taking a stand against cancer, stepping onto the field donning special lavender jerseys for the second year in a row,” ran a statement from the franchise. “This gesture will serve as a reminder of the importance of early detection and access to quality care for improving outcomes in patients of cancer.” The Gujarat Titans, who were the champions in IPL 2022 and runners-up in IPL 2023, have already played 11 of their 14 league matches in the IPL 2024 season. They will play the Chennai Super Kings on May 10th, 2024 and the Kolkata Knight Riders on May 13, 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Then, they’ll play against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 16 in Uppal. Although the Gujarat Titans are at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table with eight points from 11 games, they still have a small chance of making it to the playoffs, unlike Mumbai Indians, who are in ninth place. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
