Gujarat Titans might not retain Mohammed Shami because of injury concerns: Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra expects Gujarat Titans to not retain Mohammed Shami for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). As per the rules, each franchise can retain up to six players, out of which, one needs to be an uncapped player. It also states that the first retention would cost INR 18 crores, the second would be INR 14 crores and the third one would cost INR 11 crore. After that, the fourth and fifth retention would cost INR 18 and INR 14 crore, respectively. The uncapped player can be retained for INR 4 crore.

Keeping that in mind, Chopra noted that the franchise will certainly retain Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan and their third choice could be Sai Sudharsan, who has done well for the team in the last couple of seasons. Now, for the fourth pick, Chopra feels it will be unnecessary for the franchise to invest in any player for such a massive amount.

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He feels that the likes of David Miller, Kane Williamson, and Shami can be bought again in the auction and for a lesser amount. The former opener also added that Shami’s injury concerns will be one of the reasons why GT might end up not retaining him.

“One will be a very straightforward retention that you have to keep Shubman Gill. The second is a no-brainer, that's Rashid Khan. You should retain him as well. I feel Sai Sudharsan is the third player they should retain. If Sai Sudharsan goes to the market, he will take 8 to 10 crores for sure, and you will be able to retain him for 11 crores,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

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“After that, they don't have any other player who is worth 18 crores, who will be sold for 18 crores if you release them, whether it's Kane Williamson, Mohammed Shami, David Miller, or any other name. I am saying this team might not retain Shami because of injury concerns,” he added.

Notably, Shami finished as the leading wicket-taker for Gujarat in the 2023 edition of the tournament. He had to miss out on the 2024 edition owing to a knee injury.