Why was Mohammed Shami released, reveals Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra, the head coach of Gujarat Titans (GT), recently shared insights into why Mohammed Shami was not retained by the team ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction. Despite having the opportunity to use the Right To Match (RTM) card, GT chose not to, allowing SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to sign the esteemed pacer for INR 10 crore.

The decision came as a surprise to many, as Shami had been a key performer for the Titans, capturing 48 wickets over two seasons. The expectation was that GT would use their RTM card to secure the services of the Bengal speedster, especially given the leadership of Shubman Gill. However, Shami ended up joining SRH, the 2016 IPL champions, for the upcoming season.

Explaining the rationale, Nehra revealed that while the franchise did consider retaining Shami, the auction dynamics and Shami’s auction price of INR 10 crore led to a strategic decision against using the RTM card. “We wanted to retain Shami, and he was certainly part of our plans. However, the auction’s competitive nature and the price he reached made it challenging for us to bring him back,” Nehra stated during an interview with Jio Cinema.

Nehra acknowledged Shami’s significant contributions to the Titans over the past seasons and emphasized that the nature of IPL auctions sometimes thwarts even well-laid plans. “No matter your strategy, there are times in an open auction when things don’t go as planned,” he commented.

Reflecting on Shami’s impact, Nehra added, “What Mohammed Shami has accomplished for GT and for India is unforgettable, and his time with us will always hold a special place.”

Recently, Shami returned to cricket following a recovery from an ankle injury, participating in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. He is also competing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, where he has already taken four wickets in three games.