IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans Suffer Major Setback as Glenn Phillips Ruled Out for Season
In a significant blow to Gujarat Titans (GT) in the ongoing IPL 2025 season, New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a groin injury. The injury occurred while Phillips was fielding as a substitute during GT’s thrilling encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Phillips, 28, sustained the injury while diving to save a boundary, displaying his trademark athleticism. Unfortunately, the effort came at a heavy cost, as medical scans later confirmed the severity of the groin strain, ending his hopes of making an impact in his debut season with GT. The dynamic all-rounder, known for his explosive middle-order batting and sharp fielding, had yet to play a match for the franchise this year, and his absence is a bitter pill for the team to swallow.
This setback adds to GT’s mounting injury concerns, coming hot on the heels of the departure of South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who returned home for personal reasons after featuring in just two matches. Losing two key international players in quick succession poses a serious challenge to GT’s campaign as they aim to replicate their title-winning form from IPL 2022.
In an official statement, Gujarat Titans expressed their disappointment while wishing Phillips a swift recovery: ‘We are saddened to lose Glenn to injury. He’s an incredible talent, and we wish him a speedy recovery. The entire GT family stands by him during this tough time.’
Phillips had arrived in the IPL with high expectations following a stellar run in international cricket. During New Zealand’s recent Champions Trophy campaign, he grabbed headlines with his breathtaking fielding efforts, including a jaw-dropping catch that went viral. His ability to turn games with both bat and ball—boasting a T20I strike rate of over 140 and handy off-spin bowling—made him a crucial asset for GT’s plans this season.
Despite the adversity, Gujarat Titans have enjoyed a promising start to IPL 2025, currently sitting in the top half of the points table. Their top-order batting, led by the elegant Sai Sudharsan, the dependable captain Shubman Gill, and the destructive Jos Buttler, has been a consistent strength. However, Phillips’ absence will dent their bench depth, particularly in the middle order, and could force the team management to rework their combinations as the tournament progresses.
The injury crisis couldn’t have come at a worse time for GT, who are gearing up for a grueling phase of the IPL with back-to-back matches against strong contenders like Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Head coach Ashish Nehra will now need to rely on domestic talents and lesser-known backups to fill the void left by Phillips and Rabada, testing the squad’s resilience in the highly competitive league.
As the IPL 2025 season unfolds, fans and analysts alike will keenly observe how Gujarat Titans adapt to these challenges. Can they overcome the loss of key players and maintain their winning momentum? Only time will tell, but for now, the focus remains on wishing Glenn Phillips a full and speedy recovery as he prepares to return stronger for his national side and future IPL campaigns.