IPL 2024: Blow For Gujarat Titans As Mohammed Shami Is Ruled Out Of Tournament

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Gujarat Titans recieved a huge blow just a month ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 after pace spearhead Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury that requires surgery.

According to a report from PTI, Shami will miss the upcoming IPL 2024 after the pacer failed to recover from his ankle issue despite treatment in London last month. The 33-year-old will now need to travel to United Kingdom again for surgery, which seems the final solution.

"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," a senior BCCI source said on the condition of anonymity.

The Indian pacer has been out of action since last year's ODI World Cup final due to a left ankle injury, for which he will now need to undergo a surgery in the UK, putting his participation in the T20 World Cup 2024 also in jeopardy.

The report further adds that this developement raises question marks over the injury rehabilitation management programme planned by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for Shami.

"Shami should have gone directly for surgery and that should have been NCA's call. Just two months of rest and injections wouldn't have worked well and that's what has happened. He is an asset and the Indian team would need him in Australia," the source said.

With Hardik Pandya already moving to Mumbai Indians as part of a cash-only trade and Shami's absence, Titans will head into the season without their most senior players.

Shami, who was a key member in India's run to ODI World Cup final with 24 wickets in the show-piece tournament, has also been crucial to Titans success in their first two seasons in Indian Premier League. He has claimed 48 wickets in 33 matches for the franchise.

Shubman Gill has been named the captain, while Titans also roped in Umesh Yadav, Kartik Tyagi and Sushant Mishra as the two Indian pace options during the player auction in December 2023.

The 2022 champions also have Mohit Sharma and Darshan Nalkande in their squad as Indian pace bowling options. Titans, however, will name a replacement for Shami when the news is officially confirmed.