"It's a 3-year retention, so will you want to retain him?" - Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami's future with Gujarat Titans

Aakash Chopra has named a few players the Gujarat Titans (GT) might want to retain ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. He reckons the franchise might be in a slight dilemma while taking a call on Mohammed Shami's retention.

GT finished eighth in IPL 2024 after lifting the trophy two seasons ago and falling short at the final hurdle last year. Shami, who won the Purple Cap in IPL 2023, was ruled out of the recently concluded edition due to an ankle injury.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra noted that the Gujarat Titans might consider Shami's age before deciding on his retention.

"I will think whether I can go towards Mohammed Shami. He missed this year because of injury but the only thing that goes against him is that he is not getting younger. It's a three-year retention, so will you want to retain him? He wasn't very expensive and it's enough even if he gives me two years. So Shami will be my choice," he elaborated (8:30).

The former India opener named Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan as the first two players the Gujarat Titans should retain.

"Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan will be my first two retentions. I have to keep them and I feel this team will also want to keep them because Sai Sudharsan is consistent and this team is seeing their future around Shubman Gill, and that is why he was the captain as well this year," Chopra reasoned (8:05).

With 527 runs in 12 innings, Sudharsan was the Titans' highest run-scorer in IPL 2024. Gill (426) followed him in the run-scoring charts, with David Miller (210) being a distant third.

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"I will still want to retain Rashid Khan somehow" - Aakash Chopra on Gujarat Titans' third retention

Rashid Khan picked up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.40 in 12 innings in IPL 2024. [P/C: iplt20.com]

Aakash Chopra chose Rashid Khan as the third player the Gujarat Titans would want to retain.

"I will still want to retain Rashid Khan somehow, that if he stays, he could be my third retention. You can figure it out. He might be the second retention and Sai Sudharsan might be the third. However, I will definitely want to retain these three players," he said (8:20).

While observing that Noor Ahmad could be a retention option, the reputed commentator expects all other players to be released.

"I will think about Noor Ahmad and then I might let him go or retain him because I feel you will have more options when you come to the big auction. I don't see too many other names seeing whom you would say that this guy should be retained. You will have to leave everyone and try to build the team afresh," Chopra stated (8:55).

It remains to be seen how many players the franchises will be allowed to retain. The Titans could consider Rahul Tewatia, Sai Kishore and David Miller as additional retention options.