Glenn Phillips has unexpectedly exited the Gujarat Titans’ squad mid-season, raising questions among fans and analysts about the reason for his departure. The New Zealand all-rounder, who was picked by the franchise at his base price of ₹2 crore in the IPL 2025 auction, has returned home following a groin injury, Gujarat Titans confirmed in an official statement.
While the exact severity of the injury is yet to be disclosed, it is understood that Phillips sustained the injury during Gujarat’s away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6. Notably, he had not featured in any match this season for the Titans. The 28-year-old was one of New Zealand’s standout players during the Champions Trophy, where they ended as runners-up to India, and had impressed with his athleticism and sharp fielding.
Titans said in their release, “Glenn Phillips has returned to New Zealand following a groin injury he sustained during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 6. Gujarat Titans wish Glenn a speedy recovery.”
Phillips is the second overseas player from the franchise to be unavailable this season. Kagiso Rabada had earlier returned to South Africa due to a personal emergency, with no clarity yet on his return. This leaves Titans with only five overseas options in their squad – Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, Rashid Khan, Gerald Coetzee, and Karim Janat, while franchises are allowed to have up to eight.
Despite these challenges, the 2023 champions currently top the IPL 2025 points table, with four wins from five games. Their only loss came in the season opener against Punjab Kings, but since then, they have registered successive victories over Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Rajasthan Royals.
