India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been forced to withdraw from IPL 2024 due to a left ankle injury necessitating surgery in the UK, as per a BCCI insider speaking to news agency PTI. Shami, who spearheaded the pace attack for the Gujarat Titans, dealt a blow to the franchise, already reeling from the departure of their dynamic captain Hardik Pandya. Pandya, who led GT in the previous two seasons, has joined the Mumbai Indians and will helm their campaign in IPL 2024. Consequently, GT will now be led by Shubman Gill.
Since entering the league in 2022, GT has enjoyed remarkable success, clinching the title in their inaugural season and narrowly missing out on a repeat triumph last year, finishing as runners-up after a pulsating final against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings. Shami played a pivotal role in both campaigns, claiming 20 wickets in 2022 and improving upon that performance in IPL 2023 with 28 wickets at an impressive average of 18.64, showcasing his potency with the new ball.
Although GT is yet to make an official announcement, they have the option to select a replacement player from the pool of unsold players in the December IPL auction, with the new recruit’s base price capped at Shami’s valuation. Shami, absent from the ongoing Test series against England, last represented India in the ODI World Cup final versus Australia in November.
A BCCI source revealed: “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.”
This setback casts doubt on the effectiveness of the injury rehabilitation program designed by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for Shami. It appears increasingly improbable that the seasoned pacer will recover in time for India’s upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand in October-November, with the possibility of targeting the high-profile away series against Australia.
Observers familiar with the situation opine that the NCA’s cautious approach has not yielded desired results in Shami’s case, raising questions about the management of his injury rehabilitation.
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