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Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of IPL 2024 due to a left ankle injury that would require surgery in the UK, a BCCI source told news agency PTI. Shami was the leader of the Gujarat Titans’ pace attack. This is a tough blow for the franchise, which already lost to its charismatic captain Hardik Pandya. The Indian all-rounder, who led GT in the previous two editions, has moved to Mumbai Indians and will lead them in IPL 2024. GT, on the other hand, will take the field under the leadership of new captain Shubman Gill.
GT has performed exceptionally well since coming into the league in 2022. They finished as champions on the first try in 2022 and last year came very close to defending the title. They had to be pleased as runners-up after losing to MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings in a thrilling final that went down to the wire.
In both seasons, Shami played an important role in GT’s successes. The 33-year-old pacer picked up 20 wickets in 2022 and backed it up with an even better performance in IPL 2023 by grabbing 28 wickets at an average of 18.64. Shami was particularly lethal with the new ball.
There has been no official announcement from GT, but they are allowed to pick a replacement (base price cannot be more than Shami) from the list of players who were not sold during the IPL auction held in December.
Shami’s injury raises concerns over NCA’s injury management
Shami, who is not part of the ongoing Test series against England, last played for India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November.
“Shami was in London in the last week of January for special injections in his ankle and was told after three weeks he could start light running and take it from there.
“But the injection has not worked and now the only option left is surgery. He will soon travel to the UK for surgery. The IPL seems out of the question,” a top BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The development raises questions about the injury rehabilitation management program planned by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for Shami.
It is now highly unlikely that the bowling artist will be able to return before India’s home Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand (October-November).
Their goal could be the big away series against Australia.
People in the know believe that the NCA’s conservative line of thinking has not worked in Shami’s case.
“Shami should have gone straight for surgery and that should have been the NCA’s decision. Just two months of rest and injections would not have worked well and that is what happened. He is an asset and the Indian team would need him in Australia.” . the source said.
(with PTI inputs)