Gujarat Titans used the Impact Player rule to sub out captain Shubman Gill after the team’s first innings against Rajasthan Royals today (April 28), with Rashid Khan leading the team in his absence.
Gill opened the innings alongside Sai Sudharsan, making 84 in 50, his fourth half-century in his last six innings this season. His knock contained four sixes and five fours, before was dismissed by Maheesh Theekshana in the 17th over, falling short of his seventh T20 ton.
The 25-year-old did not take the field in the second innings, after he was subbed out and replaced by Ishant Sharma, who was GT’s Impact Player for the game.
This meant Rashid Khan, Gill’s designated deputy, took over leadership duties for the remainder of the match. The move left many baffled as GT did not release any official statement in the second innings justifying the decision.
Captain Gill makes way for Ishant bhai ⚡ pic.twitter.com/PSRWxjtiUX
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) April 28, 2025
Did the scorching Jaipur heat play a role?
The match was being played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, the state known to have a harsh summer. While 44 of Gill’s runs came from boundaries, the rest were hard-earned through sharp running between the wickets. With temperatures peaking at 34°C, the most plausible explanation for his second-innings absence appeared to be cramping or exhaustion.
After a record 38-ball 101 from 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi helped RR gun down GT's 209-4 in just 15.5 overs, Gill, however, confirmed that his absence was due to a back spasm.
This isn’t the first instance of a franchise captain featuring as an Impact Player in the IPL. In 2023, Mumbai Indians omitted Rohit Sharma from their original Playing XI against Kolkata Knight Riders, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side while fielding first. SKY then confirmed Rohit’s absence was due to a stomach bug. However, MI subbed Rohit in for Riley Meredith during the chase, where he scored 20 off 13 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) in their five-wicket victory.
This season, Rajasthan Royals used regular skipper Sanju Samson purely as a batter for the first three matches, subbing him out while fielding as he was recovering from an injury. Riyan Parag led in his absence.
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