As per reports, there could be a Mega Auction before IPL 2025. This would have already set the franchises into thinking of plans on how they would handle their retentions. Some players are not playing IPL 2024 due to various reasons. Despite their absence this season, they could be retained before a mega auction when teams usually have a limited number of retentions to make. On that note, here, we take a look at two players ruled out of IPL 2024 but could still be retained before the IPL 2025 Mega Auction.
1) Mohammed Shami – Gujarat Titans
Shami had to undergo surgery and hence, he had to miss IPL 2024. He will also miss the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Yet, he could be one of the first retentions for GT.
For Gujarat, Shami has been a talisman. Especially at their home ground in Ahmedabad, Shami has been unplayable at times. The West Bengal pacer still has a few years in his career. LSG would retain Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan. If they can retain Shami, as well, their bowling would be sorted with skilled and experienced leaders.
2) Mark Wood – Lucknow Super Giants
Mark Wood is one of the players ruled out of IPL 2024 but could still be retained before the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. It was not due to an injury but due to the involvement of the ECB that Mark Wood had to pull out of IPL 2024. He is a top pacer and did well for LSG whenever he got a chance. Yes, he is injury prone but in the next few years, he might concentrate more on his workload and that could make him available for the IPL.
There are not many options in the market that are as good as LSG. Since he has already done well for them, LSG could consider retaining the English pacer.
