Why is Glenn Phillips not playing GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 match? Check GT Playing XI

In a crucial news development, the Gujarat Titans (GT) are not playing their premier overseas all-rounder Glenn Phillips in their opening clash of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) being hosted at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Titans had a wonderful start to their IPL journey as they managed to win their maiden title in the first year itself in 2022 and then finished as the runners-up during 2023, both these superb performances came under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya. However, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the Gujarat Titans finished at the eighth spot with as many as 7 losses and 5 wins. The IPL 2022 champions will be a hoping for a turnaround this IPL 2025 season with a few big time changes in the GT squad. 

Why is Glenn Phillips not playing today's GT vs PBKS IPL 2025 match?

After winning the toss and opting to field first, it was revealed that New Zealand's Superman cricketer Glenn Phillips is not starting in the GT playing XI against Punjab Kings on Tuesday. It is very much surprising as the Kiwi cricketer looked in a stunning form both with the bat and took some sensational catches on the field for his national team during the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While talking about his T20I career so far, Phillips has smashed a total of 1928 runs from 83 matches at an impressive strike-rate of more than 140 that includes 10 half-centuries and 2 hundreds. 

During the IPL 2025 mega auction, the Gujarat Titans picked New Zealand's Glenn Phillips at an amount of INR 2 Crore. He was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad camp in IPL 2024, however, he failed to get much of opportunities. In this game against Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans are playing with just three overseas players namely Jos Buttler, Kagiso Rabada and Azmatullah Omarzai and thus, they have the option to bring an overseas cricketer as the Impact Player in the second innings. The likes of Sherfane Rutherford, Glenn Phillips, Ishant Sharma, Washington Sundar and Anuj Rawat are the five impact subs and only one of them will be picked as the Impact Player. 

"We will bowl first. It is a good cricketing wicket. There is some dew here. Just keeping it in mind. Dew is a big factor here. Big targets can be chased down. Preparation has been amazing. We have our bases covered. The bowling attack is good. Very fortunate to play at the biggest stadium in the world. We have four pacers and two spinners," said Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill during the toss. 

GT Playing XI

Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Gujarat Titans Impact Subs: Sherfane Rutherford, Glenn Phillips, Ishant Sharma, Anuj Rawat, Washington Sundar

GT IPL 2025 Squad

Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudarshan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Nishant Sindhu, Mahipal Lomror, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Manav Suthar, Washington Sundar, Gerald Coetzee, Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Brar, Sherfane Rutherford, R Sai Kishore, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Glenn Phillips, Kulwant Khejroliya, Karim Janat