Shami expected to miss IPL 2024 due to ankle surgery
Mohammed Shami is aiming to make a swift recovery following surgery on his right Achilles tendon in London on Monday. This puts his participation in IPL 2024 in serious doubt, scheduled to take place from March 22 to May 26.
Since his crucial role in India’s ODI World Cup campaign, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20, Shami has been sidelined from cricket. Despite playing through pain during the tournament and resorting to injections for his ankle, he has been unable to return to the field.
This setback is a significant blow for the Gujarat Titans, led by Shubman Gill, who also traded Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash deal. Shami was instrumental in the team’s second-place finish in IPL 2023, finishing as their highest wicket-taker.
In January, Shami had mentioned experiencing “some stiffness” in his ankle but initially expressed confidence in recovering in time for the England Tests. However, a subsequent assessment at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy (NCA) in January ruled out that possibility.
Shami had initially been named in India’s squad for the South Africa Tests but was later withdrawn due to persistent ankle pain that had already ruled him out of the white-ball leg of the tour.
During Shami’s absence in the ongoing WTC cycle, India has granted Test caps to Mukesh Kumar in the Caribbean and Akash Deep in Ranchi against England. Shami’s last Test appearance was in the WTC final against Australia at The Oval last June.
Furthermore, the injury is expected to keep him out of the upcoming T20 World Cup, set to commence in the Caribbean and the USA five days after the conclusion of the IPL.
