Gujarat Titans rookie wicketkeeper-batter Robin Minz, who recently met with a bike accident in Ranchi,  is “unlikely to play” in IPL 2024, head coach Ashish Nehra revealed today (March 16).

During the 2024 auction, Minz became the first indigenous cricketer to make it to the IPL. At 21, without any prior experience in professional cricket, Minz sealed an INR 3.6 crore deal with Gujarat.

However, weeks away from the IPL, he was involved in a minor road accident while riding his superbike when he came in contact with another bike. He bruised his right knee and was hospitalised. Although the front portion of his bike was severely damaged as per multiple reports, his father Francis Minz confirmed that the incident was “nothing serious”.

“Yes. He is fine. It is just minor bruises and nothing serious. He is recovering well,” Francis told PTI.

Nehra gave the latest update on Minz, who was scheduled to join Gujarat in the pre-season camp. Although he raised doubts over Minz taking part in IPL this year, he didn’t rule out his availability completely.

“Robin Minz is unlikely to play IPL this year, but still he has not been ruled out 100 per cent. He is under observation. Another two weeks, we will see how it goes, or maybe quicker,” said Nehra.

Gujarat will be also without the services of Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action since sustaining a left ankle injury during the World Cup last year. Nehra was unfazed by the multiple injury setbacks, saying “these things are part and parcel of the game”.

“Mohammed Shami is one [injured player], Minz is another. People play other matches [and get injured], they are coming from international cricket – these things are part and parcel of the game. Robin is an exciting guy, we were also excited to see him. But maybe the second half,” he concluded.

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.