Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, Gujarat Titans’ captain Shubman Gill has made a notable decision to take a substantial pay cut. As the franchise approaches the October 31 retention deadline, Gill is set to be the second player retained, following star spinner Rashid Khan.
Gill’s commitment is a strategic move to keep the core players intact and strengthen the team’s competitive edge. His leadership, which he displayed in his debut season as captain, has impressed both fans and management, leading to a collective drive to retain key talents within the franchise.
Retention Strategy: Building a Balanced Team
Gujarat Titans are making careful retention decisions to secure top players within their budget constraints. Along with Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill, they are expected to retain promising young talent, such as Sai Sudharsan, and two uncapped players, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan.
According to IPL retention guidelines, retaining these players will deduct a significant amount from the franchise’s Rs 120 crore auction purse: Rs 18 crore for the first player, Rs 14 crore for the second, Rs 11 crore for the third, and Rs 4 crore for each uncapped player. This calculated retention plan will allow Gujarat Titans to sustain their core team while ensuring they have the flexibility for the mega auction next month, where they can also use a right-to-match card to retain another player.
New Salary Structure and Mega Auction
This year, the IPL salary structure has been adjusted, with an increased auction purse of Rs 120 crore and the introduction of a match fee set at Rs 7.5 lakh per game. The mega auction, scheduled for the end of November overseas, will be an opportunity for teams to strategically allocate resources under this revised budget. Teams can now retain up to six players through retention or right-to-match, marking the highest retention limit in IPL history.
By accepting a reduced pay, Shubman Gill aims to bolster Gujarat Titans’ squad stability, which is not only a testament to his team-first mindset but also underscores his role as a future leader in Indian cricket.
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