(Aakash Chopra YouTube)
Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, advocates for the Gujarat Titans to consider retaining their experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
Shami, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the 50-over Cricket World Cup of 2023, was sidelined for the entire 2024 IPL season due to injury. He suffered a significant leg injury, leading to extensive surgery with a recovery period of at least 6-7 months. Consequently, he was not included in the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
It’s anticipated that Shami won’t be back in action until the end of August, with a potential return slated for September, provided his recovery progresses smoothly. His absence dealt a significant blow to the Gujarat Titans, resulting in their failure to secure a top-four finish for the first time since joining the league in 2022.
According to Aakash Chopra, Mohammed Shami is his preferred selection.
In his recent YouTube video, Aakash Chopra delved into the retention strategy of the Gujarat Titans, speculating on which players the team would opt to keep. Assuming four retentions, Chopra asserted that GT would lean towards retaining Mohammed Shami, despite the bowler missing the entire previous season.
Chopra acknowledged that the only drawback for Mohammed Shami is his advancing age and whether he can maintain his peak performance levels. However, he pointed out that GT had retained Shami for three years, and considering he wasn’t overly expensive, there’s merit in retaining him even if he can contribute for just two more seasons.
“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,” Aakash Chopra said in his latest YouTube video.
In his recent YouTube video, Aakash Chopra delved into the retention strategy of the Gujarat Titans, speculating on which players the team would opt to keep. Assuming four retentions, Chopra asserted that GT would lean towards retaining Mohammed Shami, despite the bowler missing the entire previous season.
Chopra acknowledged that the only drawback for Mohammed Shami is his advancing age and whether he can maintain his peak performance levels. However, he pointed out that GT had retained Shami for three years, and considering he wasn’t overly expensive, there’s merit in retaining him even if he can contribute for just two more seasons.
Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Rashid Khan are among the other players expected to be retained.
Aakash Chopra proceeded to announce that the first retention for the upcoming season will be GT captain Shubman Gill. Joining him will be the promising Tamil Nadu talent, Sai Sudharsan, who showcased impressive batting performances throughout the season. Chopra emphasized Sudharsan’s consistency and deemed him worthy of retention.
Lastly, Chopra highlighted the retention of leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Despite a relatively quiet IPL 2024 campaign, Chopra advocates for GT to retain Rashid Khan’s services.
“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. I will still want to retain Rashid Khan somehow, that if he stays, he could be my third retention,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
