Shami undergoes ankle surgery, set to miss IPL
The 33-year-old, who last played for India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia on November 19, went under the knife in London on Monday
PTI
New Delhi, 27 Feb
Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami has undergone a surgery on
his left achilles tendon, which rules him out of next month's Indian Premier
League and possibly the T20 World Cup in June.
The 33-year-old, who last played for India in the ODI World
Cup final against Australia on November 19, went under the knife in London on
Monday. Shami, who is eager to "get back on my feet soon" stares at a
recovery time of a minimum of three months. He will thus miss the IPL slated to
be played from 22 March to 26 May, as
reported by PTI last week.
Shami is also a doubtful starter for the T20 World Cup in
the Caribbean and USA. "Just had a successful heel operation on my
achilles tendon! Recovery is going to take some time, but looking forward to
getting back on my feet," Shami tweeted, along with several pictures of
him in the hospital, on 'X' on Monday.
Shami, who was one of the architects of India's stupendous
ODI World Cup campaign with 24 wickets, had played through pain as he had
problems with his landing but didn't let it affect his performance.
He had flown to London in January to take special ankle
injections. However, the medication didn't work and the fast bowler had to opt
for surgery.
The absence of Shami is a major blow for Gujarat Titans, who
have also traded all-rounder Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in an all-cash
deal. Shami was the side's highest wicket-taker during their runner-up finish
in the IPL last year.
Shami, who was recently conferred with the Arjuna Award, has
229 Test, 195 ODI and 24 T20 wickets in his decade-long career.
The development raises a question mark about the injury
rehabilitation management programme planned by the National Cricket Academy
(NCA) for Shami. It is also highly unlikely that the pacer would be able to
make a comeback before India's Test matches at home against Bangladesh and New
Zealand (October November). His target could be the marquee away series against
Australia later this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Shami quick recovery on
'X', saying, "Wishing you a speedy recovery and good health, @MdShami11!
I'm confident you'll overcome this injury with the courage that is so integral
to you.
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