With the mega auction for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League slated to occur later in the year, it is evident that the franchises will undergo substantial transformations. This development promises a slew of strategic reinforcements as all the participants would aim to enhance their squads with well-considered changes in both team composition and management.
In this context, let us examine three captains who may face non-retention ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction along with the underlying reasons for their potential exclusion.
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1. Shubman Gill
Since the inception of the Gujarat Titans in 2022, the franchise has seen three captains at the helm. Hardik Pandya led the team through its inaugural season and most of the 2023 edition, steering it to the title in the first year and a runners-up finish in the subsequent edition. His influential role extended beyond captaincy, as he consistently elevated himself in the batting order, showcasing his pivotal contribution with the bat across both seasons.
Rashid Khan assumed leadership of the side during Hardik Pandya’s brief absence in a few matches of the 2023 season. However, the limited duration of his captaincy renders the sample size insufficient for a comprehensive assessment, with the Afghan’s win rate standing at a mere 50%.
Following a couple of successful seasons, expectations were high for the franchise to deliver another stellar performance. However, despite Shubman Gill having a commendable season with the bat, the departure of Hardik Pandya to the Mumbai Indians left him at the helm of the team. Gill’s leadership did not quite meet expectations, as he struggled to inspire his squad on the field, culminating in a disappointing eighth-place finish in 2024.
While it may not be a decisive element, the omission of Gill from the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 could reasonably influence considerations regarding his retention.
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2. Shikhar Dhawan
The stylish southpaw has set the IPL ablaze with his skillful stroke-making, and rightfully has the record to his name of being the person with having scored the most number of fours in the cash-rich league. However, there are a couple of factors which could compel the franchise to not retain him.
One significant factor could be Dhawan’s diminished connection with cricket. Since his exclusion from the international arena in 2022, Dhawan has participated in very few matches, with his involvement largely restricted to the IPL, with him being pretty much out of sync when it comes to domestic fixtures as well.
Secondly, his age is a significant consideration. At 38, Dhawan endured a shoulder injury in the early part of the 2024 season, which sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. Given the increasing dynamism of the IPL, the Punjab Kings are likely to seek a younger leader capable of invigorating the team. This is particularly relevant as the team has finished sixth, eighth, and ninth in recent seasons under his leadership.
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3. KL Rahul
Similar to Gill, a pivotal factor for the Lucknow Super Giants to deliberate over Rahul’s retention is his exclusion from the 20-over World Cup squad, as well as his absence from the Sri Lankan T20I tour. Despite leading LSG to third-place finishes in the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, the 2024 edition proved to be a severe letdown, with the team finishing a disappointing seventh in a lackluster campaign.
With the implementation of the Impact Player rule in 2023, another notable concern is the issue of strike rate. Rahul has frequently been criticized for prolonging his innings excessively and failing to generate the requisite aggression required in various knocks of his.
Another factor to consider would be the seemingly strained relationship between LSG owner, Sanjiv Goenka, and the wicketkeeper-batter, particularly following the on-field altercation and the reprimand Goenka delivered to the Indian international after a heavy defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024.