Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 due to a left ankle injury.
The injury requires surgery, which Shami will undergo in the UK. A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this development to news agencies.
Shami’s absence comes as a significant blow to his IPL franchise, the Gujarat Titans, where he played a crucial role as the leader of the pace attack.
The Gujarat Titans have already suffered a setback with the departure of their former captain, Hardik Pandya, who has moved to the Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season. In Pandya’s absence, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new captain of the Gujarat Titans.
Since making their IPL debut in 2022, the Gujarat Titans have been a strong contender in the tournament.
They won the championship in their debut season and narrowly missed out on defending their title in 2023, finishing as the runners-up. Shami played a pivotal role in both seasons, showcasing his skill and experience with the ball.
In the 2022 IPL season, Shami took 20 wickets, and he followed it up with an impressive performance in 2023, taking 28 wickets at an average of 18.64. His ability to strike early with the new ball and his effectiveness in the death overs made him a valuable asset for the Titans.
The Gujarat Titans now face the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for Shami. According to IPL rules, the replacement player’s base price cannot exceed that of the injured player. The Gujarat Titans will have to select a player from the pool of unsold players from the IPL 2024 auction held in December.
Shami’s injury and subsequent absence from the IPL also raise questions about the rehabilitation program planned by the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
It is unlikely that Shami will be able to return to action before India’s Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand, scheduled for October and November. However, there is hope that he could target a comeback for the series against Australia.
Shami last played for India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November. He was in London in late January to receive special ankle injections, with the expectation that he would be able to start light running after three weeks.
However, the injections did not have the desired effect, and surgery has now been deemed necessary.
Shami’s absence will be keenly felt by the Gujarat Titans and cricket fans. His skill, experience, and ability to perform under pressure will be sorely missed in the IPL 2024 season.
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