The Gujarat Titans have been handed a massive blow as their spearhead fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, has been ruled out of the IPL 2024 due to his ankle injury.
Mohammed Shami fought with pain in his ankle during the World Cup 2023 and still performed superbly, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker. However, the injury got aggravated and has become significant. He has missed all cricket action since the World Cup, and now will require a surgery in London, which means he will be on the sidelines for at least six months.
Apart from Mohammed Shami, Gujarat Titans were already weakened by the loss of former captain Hardik Pandya, who went back to the Mumbai Indians, prompting the Titans to put Shubman Gill at the helm.
Now, they have to find a replacement player for Mohammed Shami among the players who went unsold in the IPL 2024 auction. There are few Indian pacers GT can go to.
3 bowlers Gujarat Titans can pick as the replacement of Mohammed Shami:
Sandeep Warrier
Kerala fast bowler Sandeep Warrier has been part of franchises like Mumbai Indians, RCB, and KKR in the past, but has only 5 appearances to show. He has an experience of 72 T20 matches to show, and is among the fastest bowlers in the domestic circuit.
He has snapped 63 T20 wickets in his career so far, and could be a good like-for-like replacement of Mohammed Shami as Warrier, too, is known for his upright seam presentation.
Ishan Porel
25-year-old Bengal pacer Ishan Porel is a lanky lad and with his height, he has the ability to generate a bit of extra bounce. Porel has a considerable experience of 44 First-class matches, 36 List-A games, and 29 T20s, taking overall more than 200 wickets. Porel made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings in 2021 IPL but featured in only one match.
Mohammed Kaif
Bengal pacer Mohammed Kaif’s name is still unknown and that can work in Gujarat’s favor if they pick him because very few teams have seen him yet. Kaif might even get a recommendation because he is the brother of Mohammed Shami himself.
Like Shami, Kaif is known for his quick pace and good lines and lengths. Kaif made his List-A debut in 2021 and first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy 2024 season. He was impressive in the Ranji Trophy this season, picking up 17 wickets in 6 matches at an average of 22 with two four-wicket hauls to his name. He snapped 12 wickets in 9 List-A appearances so far.
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