Gujarat Titans’ Glenn Phillips didn’t get to play a single game this IPL season — and when he finally stepped onto the field as a substitute against Sunrisers Hyderabad, it only brought more trouble.
The New Zealand all-rounder came on as a substitute fielder but picked up an injury, effectively ending his IPL campaign.
“He didn’t get to play a single match for Gujarat Titans this season.”
Gujarat Titans haven’t named a replacement for Phillips yet. In an official statement, the IPL confirmed that Phillips has returned to New Zealand.
Phillips was bought for ₹2 crore by Gujarat Titans in last November’s mega auction. Despite winning four of their first five games, the team didn’t give him an opportunity in the playing XI.
He was brought on as a substitute fielder after the fifth over during Sunday’s match against Hyderabad. But his time on the field was short-lived — he pulled his groin while fielding on the fourth ball of the sixth over and had to walk off, later being ruled out of the tournament.
Just two days before Phillips’ injury, another blow hit Gujarat as South African pacer Kagiso Rabada returned home due to personal reasons. There’s still uncertainty over whether he will return this season. The franchise hasn’t announced a replacement for him either.
Gujarat Titans started their IPL campaign with just seven overseas players. That number has now dropped to five.
So far, Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, and Sherfane Rutherford have featured in every match for the team. The remaining two foreign players are Afghan all-rounder Karim Janat and South African pacer Gerald Coetzee — the latter hasn’t played any competitive cricket since January due to injury.
