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Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has sparked debate in the cricket world with his prediction regarding Mohammad Shami's future with the Gujarat Titans in the upcoming IPL. Shami, a key player for GT, has been sidelined from competitive cricket since the ODI World Cup final last year due to an ankle injury, undergoing surgery in February. While the pacer aims to regain fitness for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Chopra expresses concern that Shami's injury history could impact his IPL prospects.
Chopra's analysis focuses on the IPL mega auction, where teams are allowed to retain a maximum of six players. He believes Gujarat Titans, despite Shami's impressive performance in the previous season (claiming the purple cap with 28 wickets), may not prioritize retaining him due to his injury history. He argues that GT should instead focus on retaining Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, and Sai Sudharsan, deeming them vital for the team's success.
Chopra further emphasizes the age factor, speculating that GT might be hesitant to commit a significant sum for a 34-year-old Shami with injury concerns. He suggests that releasing Shami and re-signing him at a lower price during the auction could be a more financially viable strategy for the franchise. Shami, however, has refuted recent reports of missing the Australia tour due to a knee injury, calling them 'baseless rumors' and reiterating his commitment to recovery.
Shami's inclusion in the Bengal squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy demonstrates his determination to regain match fitness and showcase his skills in the domestic red-ball competition. This tournament provides him with a crucial opportunity to prove his readiness for the international stage and potentially secure a spot in GT's IPL roster. The upcoming mega auction will be a defining moment for Shami's IPL journey, as his potential release by GT and subsequent re-entry into the auction pool could lead to a dramatic change in his career trajectory.