Page 47 - The Indian EYE 030124

SPORTS MARCH 01, 2024 | The Indian Eye 47

Mohammed Shami ruled out
of IPL 2024: Sources
ndia’s prime pacer Mohammed
Shami is unlikely to play any part
Iin the upcoming Indian Premier
League (IPL) 2024 due to an injury that
would require surgery, according to
sources. This comes as a significant blow
to the franchise as Shami was the lead-
er of the Gujarat Titans’ pace attack.
“When he went for surgery the
last time he was given some injections
but that didn’t work out for him. So
now he will undergo surgery. It seems
that he will miss IPL,” a Gujarat Ti-
tans’ source told ANI.
Shami contributed significantly
to GT’s success in both seasons. The
33-year-old bowler picked up 20 wick-
ets in 2022 and followed it up with an
even stronger performance in IPL
2023, taking 28 wickets at an average
of 18.64. Shami was especially devas-
tating with the new ball.
The 33-year-old, who is not play-
ing in the current five-match Test se-
ries against England, last represented
India in the ODI World Cup final Shami was the highest wicket taker for India in the last world cup (ANI Photo)
against Australia in November.
Shami, who took 24 wickets in Pandya and Pant are expected to ting at No.4.’ That’s just what he’s like, chance to train under one of his crick-
India’s spectacular World Cup cam- go through another round of match but we’ll keep our fingers crossed. eting idols, as he was picked up by the
paign, played with agony due to land- simulation and conditioning drills on He’s such a dynamic player. He’s ob- Punjab franchise for Rs 20 Lakhs for
ing issues but did not allow it to hinder Thursday. According to ESPNcricin- viously our captain. We missed him the coming edition of the Indian Pre-
his performance. fo, Pant didn’t experience any dis- incredibly last year. If you understand mier League.
GT will head into the IPL 2024 comfort throughout the 20-over game the journey he’s been on the last 12- “I remember my meeting with
without Hardik Pandya, who left the and the team that monitored him 13 months, it was a horrific incident. Bangar Sir. I was 10-11 years old at
franchise after guiding the team to is believed to be satisfied with the One that I know he feels very lucky to the time, and I asked him to advise me
their maiden trophy in 2022. Pandya left-handed batter’s endurance level. have even survived, let alone have the on my batting stance. Now, the dream
made his return to five-time champi- However, Pandt didn’t take the gloves chance to play cricket again,” Ponting is fulfilled and I am here at Punjab
ons Mumbai Indians and succeeded during the practice match. added. Kings, and will receive coaching un-
Rohit Sharma to become the cap- He also posted a video on Ins- “We’ll just keep our fingers der him”, Ashutosh said.
tain of the franchise. The star opener tagram, in which he was taking part crossed and hope that he can be out Ashutosh, who hails from the city
Shubman Gill will lead the Gujarat in wicketkeeping and mobility drills. there and play. Even if it’s not all the of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, began
Titans in IPL 2024. This has become a part of Pant’s low- games, if we can manage him through his cricketing journey at a young age.
er-body conditioning for the past six 10 of the 14 games or whatever that Due to a lack of opportunities in his
Rishabh Pant goes through weeks. might be then whatever games you hometown, he moved to Indore when
Earlier this month, Delhi Capitals
match-simulation exercises head coach Ricky Ponting stated that can get out of him will be a bonus,” he was 8 years old to train at Madhya
Pradesh Cricket Association’s resi-
Ponting stated.
ndia wicketkeeper batter Rishabh their star performer Pant was opti- dential academy.
Pant has begun going through a mistic about his return but the former Ashutosh Sharma ready to set “When I left home, I did not have
Iseries of match-simulation exer- Australia skipper feels that anything IPL ablaze enough money. I used to go to a camp
cises in Bengaluru as he looks to re- that they get from the 26-year-old will and I started umpiring in matches
gain fitness ahead of the upcoming be a bonus for the team. fter a Punjab Kings batting to afford lunch. We were a family of
edition of the Indian Premier League “Rishabh is very confident that camp in Mumbai, the new en- limited means, and it was hard to do
(IPL), according to ESPNcricinfo. he’s going to be right to play. In what Atrant, Ashutosh Sharma was everything on my own so early. But I
Pant is yet to make an appear- capacity we’re not quite sure yet. You sitting excitedly with his phone in his never let it affect my family about my
ance after he sustained injuries during would have seen all the social-media hand, waiting for former Indian crick- struggles as I did not want them to
a near-fatal car accident in December stuff, he’s up and about and running eter Sanjay Bangar to arrive. Bangar, worry,” he recalled.
2022. well. But in saying that we’re only the Head of Cricket Development During a rough batting patch,
On Tuesday, Pant and Mumbai six weeks away from the first game of the franchise, was delighted when while playing U19 cricket, Ashutosh
Indians skipper Hardik Pandya, who, as well. So we’re not sure if we’ll get Ashutosh showed his 12-year-old self- thought of punishing himself by doing
too, is recovering from an ankle inju- wicketkeeping out of him this year,” ie alongside him. all his household chores without any
ry, played a 20-over practice game at Ponting said as quoted from ES- While Bangar was a part of the help, believing it would bring disci-
the KSCA facility in Alur, Karnataka. PNcricinfo. now-defunct Kochi franchise when pline and remind him of the sacrifices
Both players were under the super- “But I’ll guarantee if I asked him the selfie was taken, Ashutosh was a he had made to reach the level. “After
vision of National Cricket Academy now he’ll say, ‘I’m playing every game, young ball boy. Over a decade later, doing so for a month, I scored a hun-
physios and trainers. I’m keeping every game and I’m bat- the 25-year-old cricketer will have a dred,” he recalled.

www.TheIndianEYE.com