IPL 2023: Mohit Sharma Revival - From Gujarat Titans Net Bowler to shining on GT debut in 2023

Mohit Sharma, the name is pretty common among the IPL fans, especially for the ones in the Yellow of Chennai Super Kings. The crafty bowler played for them for a few seasons and rose through the ranks to represent India.

But things went downhill for Sharma in the last few seasons. He was clearly down the pecking order in CSK, move to Punjab Kings didn't work and then had to takers in the IPL 2022. Gujarat Titans roped him in as a net bowler and he was with the champions in a peripheral role last year.

Gujarat Titans then went on to buy the player in the IPL 2023 auction at his base price and have given him an opportunity to resurrect his IPL journey.

And Mohit Sharma has justified his selection with a fantastic bowling performance. The pacer made his debut against Punjab Kings on Thursday and ended up as the star with the ball for the defending champions.

Mohit bowled four overs and ended up with a stellar figure of 2/18, the most economical and most successful among the GT bowlers. The 34-year-old picked up two crucial wickets of Jitesh Sharma and Sam Curran.

A rejuvenation in IPL of a veteran is not new, but for Mohit Sharma, it will be nothing short of elation. The bowler last played more than once in IPL 2018, and in between these years, he has only featured twice (1 time each in IPL 2019 and 2020).

He was unfazed amidst all the pressure and showed why he was such a valued player in the IPL once. It was a perfect demonstration of sheer willpower and class, which the former CSK bowler depicted in a disciplined spell.

And after the brilliant bowling display, which played a big part in restricting Punjab to just 153 runs, Mohit gave his pragmatic afterthoughts.

Mohit Sharma, playing his first IPL match since 2020, making his debut for Gujarat, went for just 18 runs from 4 overs by taking 2 wickets.

Welcome back, Mohit. pic.twitter.com/ebfOyfKH6A

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 13, 2023

"There was excitement, but also nervousness about making a comeback after a few years. Have played domestic cricket in between. Last year I played domestic cricket after returning from a back surgery," Mohit said after in the mid-innings interview.

It was Gujarat Titans skipper Ashish Nehra who made him join the IPL 2022 champions as a net bowler last year.

"Got a call from Ashu pa to stay with the team. I thought it would be better than staying at home (about being a net bowler for GT last year). Being a net bowler is not a bad thing. Gives you a lot of exposure. The environment at GT is brilliant," he added.

Mohit Sharma IPL Career

Mohit Sharma has played 87 matches in IPL and has 94 wickets to his name. He was also the Purple Cap holder in the IPL 2014 during his CSK days.

Mohit Sharma India Career

Mohit Sharma has also played 26 ODIs and 8 T20Is for India, with 31 and 6 wickets in those formats respectively. The pacer made his international debut in 2013 and last played in the national colours in 2015.

It surely warrants more opportunities for the veteran. He came into the team after Yash Dayal's shocking last over in the KKR match and it only will be fair if Titans persist with the bowler.

The Haryana-born player has rattled many stumps during his CSK days, but it's time to spring into life and complete the unfinished business with Gujarat Titans.