The Gujarat Titans (GT) had a largely solid run during the IPL 2025 league stage, finishing 3rd on the points table with 9 wins and 5 losses. With B. Sai Sudharsan securing the Orange Cap and Prasidh Krishna claiming the Purple Cap, GT looked like strong contenders entering the playoffs. However, their campaign came to an abrupt halt after a loss to Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.

GT Worst Players in IPL 2025：Storm Without Thunder

While the Titans boasted standout individual performances, the season wasn’t without its setbacks. Inconsistency in the bowling unit, middle-order fragility, and an over-reliance on top-order success exposed cracks at crucial moments. Several players underperformed relative to their roles and expectations. In this article, we take a closer look at the GT worst buys in IPL 2025, not as a criticism of effort, but as an honest reflection on areas where key names fell short when it mattered most.

1. Rashid Khan – A Rare Off-Season for GT’s Spin Ace

Rashid Khan, often hailed as one of the most reliable T20 spinners in the world, had a surprisingly off-color season. In 15 matches, he took just 9 wickets, and his economy rate of 9.34 was among the highest in his IPL career.

Rashid Khan’s Bowling in IPL 2025

Worse still, Rashid conceded 33 sixes—the most ever by a bowler in a single IPL season. With the bat, he offered little resistance, scoring just 40 runs in 8 innings. Known for turning matches with his control and wicket-taking ability, Rashid’s inability to provide breakthroughs or build pressure in the middle overs left GT vulnerable, especially when their pacers were also expensive. Considering his stature and past success, Rashid was undoubtedly one of the GT worst players in IPL 2025 and a rare case where a retained star didn’t deliver on expectations.

2. Shahrukh Khan – Inconsistent in a Key Finishing Role

Shahrukh Khan was given ample opportunity in IPL 2025, playing 15 matches, but failed to make his presence felt consistently. He scored 179 runs in 11 innings, with just one half-century, though his strike rate of 179.00 suggested glimpses of his power-hitting ability. However, those flashes were few and far between. In the crucial Eliminator, he managed only 13 runs, unable to anchor or finish the innings when GT needed composure. While his strike rate looks promising, the lack of volume and impact makes him one of GT’s most frustratingly inconsistent performers.

Shahrukh Khan’s Batting in IPL 2025

His season leaves him teetering on the edge of being considered one of the GT worst buys in IPL 2025, particularly if management expected a reliable finisher.

3. Rahul Tewatia – Explosive Yet Invisible

Rahul Tewatia has built a reputation as a clutch finisher, but IPL 2025 didn’t quite offer him enough chances or perhaps he didn’t take full advantage of them. In 12 innings, Tewatia faced just 59 balls, scoring 99 runs at a strike rate of 167.80. However, he also registered 3 ducks, the most by a GT batter this season.

Rahul Tewatia’s Batting in IPL 2025

While his strike rate looks great on paper, Tewatia struggled for rhythm and meaningful innings. His minimal contribution, whether due to lack of opportunity or situational underperformance, reflected GT’s lack of middle-order firepower, which haunted them in critical games. Though not among the GT worst players in IPL 2025 in a statistical sense, his overall invisibility and lack of impact earned him a spot in the underperformer column for the season.

4. Ishant Sharma – Experience That Didn’t Translate

Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma was expected to bring control and experience to the GT bowling attack. Instead, in 7 matches, he managed only 4 wickets and had a worrying economy rate of 11.18.

Ishant Sharma’s Bowling in IPL 2025

His lack of penetration and tendency to leak runs made him a weak link whenever he played. As an experienced Indian fast bowler, GT would have expected him to shoulder more responsibility, particularly with some overseas pacers rotating in and out. His lackluster returns place him among the GT worst players in IPL 2025, and potentially one of the least valuable signings of the season.

Final Thoughts

Despite making the playoffs and showcasing brilliance from stars like Sai Sudharsan and Prasidh Krishna, Gujarat Titans’ 2025 season will be remembered as a campaign of “what could have been.” Their exit in the Eliminator laid bare the limitations in their middle order and bowling depth.

From the first ball to the final over – you were with us through it all 💙

Thank you Titans FAM, for being the heart and soul of GT🫶 pic.twitter.com/sy0cnaoStS

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) June 1, 2025

Players like Rashid Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and Ishant Sharma all underwhelmed at key points—either by failing to control the game, contributing consistently, or stepping up when the top order faltered. Among them, Rashid’s dip was the most surprising, while Shahrukh’s inconsistency made him one of the GT worst buys in IPL 2025. For 2026, GT’s challenge will be to find greater balance and reliability beyond their stars, ensuring the burden doesn’t fall so heavily on the top performers. If they can address those middle-order gaps and recalibrate their bowling plans, they’ll be well-positioned to go deeper next season.