ODI World Cup hero ruled out of IPL 2024, Check out why

The Gujarat Titans have been dealt a hefty blow with their star pacer Mohammed Shami ruled out of the 2024 IPL season due to an ankle injury requiring surgery in the UK. This news comes just a month after their charismatic captain Hardik Pandya moved to Mumbai Indians. 

Shami, known for his lethal pace and impeccable bowling skills, has been a vital player for the Gujarat Titans, leading their pace attack with finesse. However, a left ankle injury requiring surgery in the UK has dealt a severe blow to both Shami and his franchise.

Mohammed Shami's prowess with the ball has been instrumental in Gujarat Titans' performance over the past seasons. As the spearhead of the Titans' pace attack, Shami's ability to strike early and contain runs has often turned the tide of matches in his team's favor.

His absence will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the Titans' bowling lineup and strategic plans for IPL 2024. In their two seasons in the league, Shami picked up a combined 48 wickets, playing a crucial role in their 2022 championship win and last year's runner-up finish.

First Hardik Pandya, and now Shami's absence due to injury, the Titans find themselves grappling with a leadership crisis. The burden of leading the team has now fallen on the shoulders of Shubman Gill, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge for the young cricketer. The Titans are allowed to find a replacement player from the players who went unsold in the auction, but Shami's void will be difficult to fill.

Shami’s prolonged injury puts NCA’s injury management under scrutiny

It’s not the first time NCA has been put under scrutiny for mismanagement of players' injuries, in the past as well players have lost their precious time due to NCA’s ability to assess players’ injuries in advance.

Mohammed Shami went to England in January, where he took some special injections and was told that he could start light running after three weeks but eventually, it didn’t work out and now he requires surgery on the ankle which puts serious questions on NCA’s role in managing Shami’s injury. 

Shami is now expected to feature in the home test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand in October and November if he gets fit by that time.