As IPL 2025 heats up, Gujarat Titans face a mid-season injury storm.
Glenn Phillips’ unexpected groin injury and Kagiso Rabada’s prolonged absence have tested the Titans’ depth, but their strategic signing of Dasun Shanaka and strong 4-2 record (second in the table) highlight their resilience.
Follow BRG365 for exclusive insights into GT’s “yellow fortress” and behind-the-scenes stories.
Glenn Phillips: The Unplayed Hero
New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips arrived in Ahmedabad with fanfare. Signed for ₹2 crore after a Champions Trophy where he dazzled with athletic fielding and crisp strokeplay, he was earmarked as GT’s “X-factor” for 2025.
Instead, his IPL journey ended in a cruel twist: on April 6, while sub-fielding against Sunrisers Hyderabad, a routine dive to stop a boundary left him clutching his groin.
He never set foot on the field as a specialist, becoming the first major casualty of GT’s injury list.
“The irony isn’t lost—Glenn was meant to boost our fielding, but a substitute role cost him the tournament,” noted cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar.
Phillips’ absence deprives GT of a versatile middle-order bat and a proven death-over specialist, forcing coach Ashish Nehra to reshuffle plans.
Dasun Shanaka: Familiar Face with a Point to Prove
Enter Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan all-rounder returning to GT after a 2023 stint that saw him play a pivotal role in their runner-up finish.
Signed at his base price of ₹75 lakh, Shanaka brings leadership (he captained Sri Lanka in 2024) and a reputation for big-match hitting.
Yet his IPL 2025 numbers—26 runs in three outings, a strike rate of 118.18—betray rust.
“Dasun knows the GT culture inside out,” stressed Captain Shubman Gill. “He thrived here two years ago, and we need that experience now.”
Fans hope his return sparks a repeat of his 2023 magic, when he smashed 35* off 18 balls to sink Mumbai Indians in a must-win game.
For Shanaka, it’s a redemption arc: prove he belongs in a star-studded lineup.
Kagiso Rabada: The Missing Pace Ace
Gujarat Titans players 2025: Kagiso Rabada's Absence(BRG365)
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada’s sudden April 3 departure for “personal reasons” sent shockwaves through GT’s camp.
The 28-year-old, who took 12 wickets at 21.83 in 2024, is yet to rejoin the squad, leaving a gaping hole in their pace attack.
His absence forces Mohammed Siraj (10 wickets, 8.20 economy) and Prasidh Krishna (6 wickets, 9.10 economy) to shoulder extra workload, while rookie Gerald Coetzee battles a groin injury that has sidelined him since pre-season.
“We’re monitoring Kagiso’s situation closely,” GT’s CEO stated cryptically. In his absence, spin twins Rashid Khan (7 wickets, 8.88 economy) and Sai Kishore (5 wickets, 7.50 economy) have seen their workload jump by 20%, a risky gamble on a pitch that favors pace at the death.
Read More: CSK Injury List: Key Players Missing in IPL 2025 and Their Impact
Key Stats In Gujarat Titans Players 2025
| Player | Injury | Matches Missed |
| Glenn Phillips | Groin strain | 6+ |
| Kagiso Rabada | Personal leave | 5+ |
| Hardik Pandya | Ankle injury | 2 |
| Rashid Khan | Back surgery | 0 (playing) |
Walking Wounded: Pandya, Rashid, and the Fitness Tightrope
Hardik Pandya: The Captain’s Secret Battle
The charismatic all-rounder limped through the Lucknow Super Giants clash on April 17, his ankle strapped tightly after a collision in training.
Though he insists he’s “fit to fight,” his reduced mobility in the field and cautious batting (22 runs off 20 balls that night) hint at discomfort.
Pandya’s role as both finisher and leader makes his health critical—GT’s dressing room thrives on his energy.
Rashid Khan: The Spin King’s Rusty Crown
Afghanistan’s Rashid, still recovering from a 2024 back surgery, has struggled to find his trademark control.
His 8.88 economy rate in 2025 is his worst in IPL history, with batters targeting his slower balls.
“Rashid’s not 100%, but we need him to anchor the middle overs,” said Nehra, admitting the team’s reliance on their spin lynchpin.
Sherfane Rutherford: The Quiet Absence
The West Indies power-hitter missed two matches with a “non-cricket illness,” prompting GT to blood Karim Janat.
Rutherford’s absence weakens their explosive lower order, though Janat’s composed 18* on debut offered a glimmer of hope.
Read More: Transfer News: Ayush Mhatre Joins CSK as Ruturaj Gaikwad's Replacement
Tactical Shifts In Gujarat Titans Players 2025
Faced with a patched-up lineup, GT has turned to innovation:
Spin-First Strategy:
With pace resources thin, spinners now bowl 42% of all overs (up from 35% in 2024), with Washington Sundar adding crucial off-spin variation.
Batting Order Shake-Ups:
Sai Sudharsan, promoted to No.3 in Phillips’ absence, has flourished with 189 runs at 47.25, forming a solid partnership with Shubman Gill (356 runs, 59.33 avg).
Home Fortress Advantage:
At the 132,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium, where GT boasts a 78% win rate in 2025, crowd energy compensates for on-field gaps.
“The ‘yellow wave’ lifts us when bodies fail,” Gill confessed after a last-over win vs. Kolkata Knight Riders.
Read More: CSK Team 2025: Fresh Faces and New Tactics for a Winning Season
Fan Fervor: The 12th Man Steps Up
GT’s injury crisis has united fans in unprecedented ways. A viral Twitter campaign, #PhillipsStrong, features get-well messages from across the cricketing world, while a giant mural of Shanaka’s 2023 match-winning six now adorns the stadium’s south entrance.
Season ticket holders have organized “Injury Support Kits” for players, filled with local snacks and motivational notes—a testament to Gujarat’s emotional bond with their team.
Gujarat Titans’ 2025 campaign is a study in resilience. While Phillips’ cruel exit and Rabada’s absence threaten their balance, Shanaka’s revival and the emergence of youngsters like Karim Janat offer hope.
As the IPL playoffs loom, GT’s ability to transform adversity into unity, backed by the world’s largest cricket stadium’s roar, might just be their secret weapon.
