Aoba Tanaka 
Indian pace sensation Mohammed Shami is gearing up for a period of recovery after undergoing surgery on his right Achilles tendon in London on Monday. This unfortunate development almost confirms his absence from IPL 2024, scheduled from March 22 to May 26.
Shami, a key player in India’s ODI World Cup campaign, demonstrated exceptional prowess by emerging as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, securing 24 wickets in seven matches with an impressive average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20. Despite battling through pain during the competition and taking injections for his ankle, Shami has been away from cricket since then.
This setback deals a significant blow to the Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, who also traded Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in a high-profile all-cash deal. Shami played a crucial role in the team’s second-place finish in IPL 2023, emerging as their highest wicket-taker.
In January, Shami initially reported experiencing “some stiffness” in his ankle but expressed confidence in recovering for the England Tests. However, a reassessment at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy later ruled out the possibility, leading to his absence from the South Africa Tests.
Shami’s unavailability has prompted India to introduce new faces in the Test squad, with Mukesh Kumar featuring in the Caribbean and Akash Deep in Ranchi against England during the ongoing WTC cycle. Shami’s last Test appearance dates back to the WTC final against Australia at The Oval last June.
This injury also raises doubts about Shami’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin in the Caribbean and the USA shortly after the conclusion of IPL 2024. The Indian pacer is now focused on a swift recovery to return to the cricketing scene.
