Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the IPL 2024 due to a left ankle injury, and he is scheduled to undergo surgery in the UK, according to a BCCI source. The 33-year-old, who is not part of the ongoing Test series against England, last played for India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November.
Shami had visited London in the last week of January for special ankle injections, with the expectation that he could start light running after three weeks. However, the injections proved ineffective, leaving surgery as the only viable option. A senior BCCI source, speaking anonymously, stated, “IPL seems out of the question.”
Shami, a key contributor to India’s World Cup campaign with 24 wickets, played through pain, managing landing issues without compromising his performance. Recently honoured with the Arjuna Award, Shami has an impressive record with 229 Test, 195 ODI, and 24 T20 wickets in his decade-long career.
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This development raises concerns about the effectiveness of the injury rehabilitation management program planned by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for Shami. A comeback before India’s Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand in October-November appears unlikely, with the target possibly being the away series against Australia.
Critics suggest that the NCA’s conservative approach may not have worked in Shami’s case. The IPL 2024, set to commence on March 22, will miss the contributions of the pace bowling artist, leaving his return timeline uncertain.
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