Mohammed Shami‘s participation in IPL 2024 looks unlikely as the seamer is expected to undergo surgery to treat his ankle injury.

Shami, the highest wicket-taker at the 2023 ODI World Cup, hasn’t played competitive cricket since India’s defeat in the final of the tournament against Australia on November 19.

Already dealing with an injured ankle, Shami played through the World Cup taking injections. He was rested from India’s white-ball games against South Africa that followed, but was named in the Test squad, subject to fitness, before being ruled out of the tour as he was “not cleared by the BCCI medical staff.”

The Bengal seamer was expected to be back for the home Test series against England. “My rehabilitation is well on track and the medical experts at NCA are happy with my progress,” he told the Times of India early in January. “There is slight stiffness in my ankle but that’s fine. I have started my training sessions and I believe I will be able to make a comeback in the England series.”

However, Shami neither made it to the squad for the first two Tests of the England series, nor did he feature in the remaining three Tests of the series. The 2023 WTC final against Australia remains the last Test match Shami featured in.

As per reports from @PTI_News, Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of IPL 2024 due to a left ankle injury that will require surgery.#MohammedShami #India #IPL2024 #GujaratTitans #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Thh2Es3DvG

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) February 22, 2024

According to reports, Shami is set to undergo ankle surgery before the start of IPL 2024, effectively ruling him out of most, if not entirety of the tournament, which is scheduled to be played between March 22 and May 26.

If Shami is indeed ruled out, it will mark a big blow for Gujarat Titans, who have already lost Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians. Shami has been a pivotal figure in GT’s IPL 2022 and IPL 2023 campaigns, taking 20 and 28 wickets respectively.

The other fast bowling options GT have on their roster are Mohit Sharma, who had a breakthrough season last year, Umesh Yadav, Kartik Tyagi, Sushant Mishra, Joshua Little, and Spencer Jonson.

There has been no official update so far, however, from either BCCI or Gujarat Titans.

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