Mohammed Shami’s absence from cricket will continue and the fast bowler is now set to miss the upcoming edition of the IPL.
He has been laid low by a left ankle injury after experiencing problems while landing on his follow-through and last played the ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad.
Sources told The Telegraph that no decision has yet been taken on his surgery and alternative methods are still being explored. He twice visited a specialist in London for treatment.
Shami experienced the pain during the World Cup and had to take injections to keep it under control. One of the architects of India’s strong campaign in the 50-over showpiece event, Shami was the highest wicket-taker with 24 scalps.
Initially, it was dismissed as a niggle but once the discomfort continued, the National Cricket Academy’s medical team consulted specialists overseas.
He had been included in the squad for the two-Test series in South Africa in November but was forced to pull out.
His absence will be a big blow to the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans. They had already lost Hardik Pandya to the Mumbai Indians.
