In a significant blow to his IPL team Gujarat Titans and potentially to India’s T20 World Cup squad, veteran seamer Mohammed Shami has been sidelined from IPL 2024 due to a left ankle injury that requires surgery.
According to PTI reports, Shami’s injury demands an extensive period of recovery, leading to his absence from the upcoming IPL season. Furthermore, with his injury and the recovery time needed for the same, concerns have been raised regarding his participation in the T20 World Cup also, with speculations suggesting that his return to competitive cricket may be through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.
A senior BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity, “Shami was in London in last week of January to take special ankle injections and he was told that after three weeks, he can start light running and take it from thereon. But the injection hasn’t worked and now the only option left is surgery. He will shortly leave for UK for surgery. IPL seems out of question,”
Shami’s absence comes following his pivotal role in India’s journey to the final of the recently concluded World Cup, where they faced defeat against Australia in Ahmedabad. Despite his stellar performance in the tournament, the seasoned seamer’s injury has deprived him of further action on the field.
Significant setback for the Gujarat Titans
Meanwhile, Shami’s absence poses a significant setback for the Gujarat Titans, as he has been a standout performer for the franchise. He have had named 48 wickets in 33 matches and a strike rate of 15.75 on his name in the IPL.
With Shami’s absence now, the Gujarat Titans will now play under the leadership of young Indian batter Shubman Gill. If reports are to be believed they (Gujarat Titans) will be playing the opener against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings on March 22.
