Mohammed Shami Ruled Out of IPL 2024 Due to Ankle Injury, Requires Surgery: BCCI Source

India‘s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has been dealt a major blow as he has been ruled out of IPL 2024 due to a left ankle injury that necessitates surgery, according to a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed PTI.

Mohammed Shami, the lead fast bowler for the Gujarat Titans, will be unable to participate in the upcoming IPL season, adding to the challenges faced by the franchise who also recently lost their charismatic captain, Hardik Pandya. The Gujarat Titans, who will now be under new leadership with Shubman Gill at the helm, are going through a significant change in their leadership as they approach the tournament.

Gujarat Titans, the team that emerged victorious in their debut season in IPL 2022 and finished as the runners-up in the following season, will sorely miss Mohammed Shami’s presence, given his instrumental role in their past victories. Shami’s impeccable performances in the last two seasons were key to the team’s success gripping the spotlight on his remarkable bowling talents.

Throughout IPL 2022, Shami played a crucial role in Gujarat Titans’ championship win and continued his stellar performance in the subsequent season, clinching 28 wickets at an impressive average of 18.64. His ability to strike with the new ball and maintain pressure on the opposition’s batsmen made him a standout performer in the league.

Despite the absence of any formal announcement from the Gujarat Titans, they have the option to choose a replacement for Shami from the unsold players’ list at the recently concluded IPL auction. This replacement player must remain within the base price range set for Shami.

Mohammed Shami, who last featured for India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November, is not part of the current Test series against England. The decision to undergo surgery comes after his visit to London for special ankle injections failed to yield the desired results, confirming his exclusion from IPL 2024.

The injury setback has also raised questions about the rehabilitation management program designed by the National Cricket Academy for Shami, casting doubt on a potential timeline for his return to competitive cricket. While the probability of Shami featuring in India’s forthcoming Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand looks bleak, his focus could shift to the significant overseas series against Australia.