"I won't be surprised even if they spend ₹8 crore" - Aakash Chopra on Bhuvneshwar Kumar as Gujarat Titans' potential acquisition at IPL 2025 auction

Aakash Chopra reckons the Gujarat Titans (GT) will target Bhuvneshwar Kumar at the IPL 2025 auction. He noted that the franchise might be willing to spend ₹8 crore to acquire the veteran seamer's services.

The Titans spent ₹51 crore to retain five players - Rashid Khan (₹18 crore), Shubman Gill (₹16.50 crore), Sai Sudharsan (₹8.50 crore), Rahul Tewatia (₹4 crore) and Shahrukh Khan (₹4 crore) - ahead of the auction. They have a remaining purse of ₹69 crore to assemble the rest of the squad.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener opined that the Gujarat Titans might use their RTM card for one among Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad and David Miller, and look to acquire Bhuvneshwar at the auction.

"They might save the Right To Match card for Shami but it can be used on Noor Ahmad or David Miller as well. I feel they will go after Bhuvneshwar Kumar. I see Bhuvneshwar Kumar going to this team. They might go till ₹5 crore to ₹7 crore, and I won't be surprised even if they spend ₹8 crore," he said (11:30).

Chopra pointed out that Bhuvneshwar can be a handy bowler at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Titans' home ground.

"On this pitch, where Mohammed Shami under lights has been outstanding and they missed him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the same skills. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is 34 years old and has three quality years left. So I think he could be the guy. They have even played Umesh Yadav. They will definitely try to bring Noor Ahmad also with them," he observed.

Bhuvneshwar picked up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.35 in 16 games in IPL 2024. The right-arm seamer has accounted for 181 dismissals at an economy rate of 7.56 in 176 games in 14 seasons of the prestigious league.

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"They need a wicketkeeper-batter who can play slightly cautiously" - Aakash Chopra on the Gujarat Titans' other potential acquisitions

Shubman Gill will likely open the batting for the Gujarat Titans. [P/C: iplt20.com]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that the Gujarat Titans might want a wicketkeeper-batter who plays slightly conservatively. However, he added that they might go for one among Phil Salt, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Jos Buttler to complement Shubman Gill at the top of the order.

"They need a wicketkeeper-batter who can play slightly cautiously because the pitches here (in Ahmedabad) help the ball to move a little. Under lights, it is a very different surface. However, since Shubman Gill bats with a different template, it could be in their mind if they could get Phil Salt, Rahmanullah Gurbaz or Jos Buttler at the other end," he said.

The renowned commentator opined that the IPL 2022 champions might not be too interested in Ishan Kishan but could bid for KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, although they are unlikely to get the latter.

"Will they go towards Ishan Kishan? Maybe not actually. Ishan might not be that high on their radar. They could go towards KL Rahul. They will try to go towards Rishabh Pant for some time although they don't have enough money to get him," Chopra observed.

Chopra also praised Gill for staying with the Gujarat Titans for ₹16.50 crore. He noted that the opener kept his ego aside by showing his willingness to be retained cheaper than Rashid Khan, considering he might have got offers from the other franchises.