Major Setback for Gujarat Titans as Mohammed Shami Ruled Out of IPL 2024 Due to Ankle Injury
Aoba Tanaka
2 min read
In a significant setback for Gujarat Titans (GT), seasoned Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of IPL 2024 due to a left ankle injury that necessitates surgery. A source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this development, dealing a blow to GT’s pace attack.
Shami, who spearheaded GT’s bowling unit, played a pivotal role in the team’s remarkable journey since joining the league in 2022. The franchise clinched the championship in their debut season and narrowly missed defending the title in 2023, finishing as runners-up. With charismatic captain Hardik Pandya’s departure to Mumbai Indians, Shami was set to lead GT in IPL 2024, but the injury has forced a change in leadership, with Shubman Gill taking the helm.
In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Shami showcased his prowess, amassing 20 and 28 wickets, respectively. His ability to strike with the new ball made him an indispensable asset for GT. The absence of Shami raises concerns over GT’s pace attack strategy, considering the pivotal role he played in their previous successes.
While GT is yet to make an official announcement, IPL rules allow them to pick a replacement from the list of unsold players in the December auction, with the replacement’s base price not exceeding Shami’s.
The injury also casts a shadow over the National Cricket Academy’s (NCA) injury management program for Shami. Despite receiving special ankle injections in London in January, the expected recovery didn’t materialize. The 33-year-old pacer is now set for surgery in the UK, making his IPL participation doubtful.
This turn of events prompts questions about the NCA’s approach to Shami’s rehabilitation. Critics argue that a more assertive decision, opting for surgery earlier, might have been in Shami’s best interest. The pace bowler’s return to competitive cricket is uncertain, with doubts about his availability for India’s upcoming Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
As cricket enthusiasts await official statements from GT and the BCCI, Shami’s absence adds an element of uncertainty to GT’s campaign in IPL 2024 and raises broader questions about the management of injuries in Indian cricket.
