IPL 2024: Gujarat Titans Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade Unvavailable For First Two Matches

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In a fresh blow to Gujarat Titans, Matthew Wade is likely to miss the first two matches of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as the Australian wicketkeeper-batter will be playing in the Sheffield Shield final for Tasmania from March 21 to 25.

The 2022 champions, who lost their title-winning skipper via trade to Mumbai Indians, are already set to be without senior pacer Mohammed Shami, and the 2023 runners up are also sweating on the fitness of spinner Rashid Khan.

Now, the Titans, who will be led by youngster Shubman Gill, are likely to miss the services of another senior member of the team. The 36-year-old, however, will only be unavailable for the opening two games of the season, scheduled to begin from March 22.

Wade is set to miss Titans' first match against Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad on March 25 and their second game against Chennai Super Kings on March 27 in Chennai.

However, the left-hander, who has already communicated with the Titans, could be available for selection for Titans' third IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 31.

"He's spoken with his IPL franchise and they're happy to allow him to stay here, which probably equates to him potentially missing their first game," Tasmania head coach Jeff Vaughan told reporters in Hobart.

"We feel very fortunate to have someone of Matt's ilk coming back into our group, and his experience and his performances at the back end of our season," said Vaughan.

Wade was part of GT's title-winning run in IPL 2022 where he played 10 matches, scoring 157 runs at a strike rate of 113. But the 36-year-old did not play a single match in the previous edition as Wriddhiman Saha was preferred for the role of wicketkeeper-batter.

Apart from Saha, GT also has promising talent Robin Minz in the squad, having acquired the services of the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter for Rs 3.60 Crore in the IPL 2024 Auction. But, Titans could also be without the youngster after he suffered a minor accident.

Minz was scheduled to join Titan's pre-IPL camp in Ahmedabad but now there could be a slight delay in him linking up with his teammates. However, the 21-year-old is likely to be fit as he just suffered minor bruises.

(With PTI inputs)