GT team’s assistant coach Ashish Kapoor admitted that the franchise has been missing out on the services of their ace speedster Mohammed Shami in IPL 2024. Shami, who was the Purple Cap winner in the last edition of the league with 28 wickets in 17 matches, was ruled out of this season. He had undergone heel surgery in late February and is currently under rehabilitation at the NCA.
Ashish, while speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, suggested that Shami, with his 4 overs, has definitely proven as the point of difference in the team’s performance this season. However, he understood that the team could not complain and had to look at the other options.
“Mohammed Shami is a world-class performer, anybody would miss him, right? He has done well for us in the last two seasons, those four overs will obviously make a little bit of difference,” Ashish said.
“But then you can’t keep cribbing. You have to look at different options and move on.”
Gujarat, have not been able to find the perfect replacement for Shami in the powerplay. They have been mostly reliant on the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Sai Kishore for most of their wickets. IPL 2024, GT vs RCB: Preview
HOW HAVE GT BOWLERS PERFORMED IN IPL 2024?
Mohit Sharma, who picked up 27 wickets in the last edition, has failed to impress this season. In GT’s encounter against DC, Mohit conceded 73 runs in his 4-over quota, the most expensive figures in the IPL history.
Ashish felt that bowling has not been a concern for GT and might be for RCB, whom they will be facing at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 28, Sunday. IPL 2024 Full Coverage | IPL 2024 Points Table and Standings | 2024 IPL Full Schedule
“I don’t think bowling has been our problem this year. They might be having problems, but not our bowling.”
Ashish admitted that at this stage of the tournament, every team has a chance of making it to the playoffs. He did not rule out RCB’s chances, who have been languishing at the bottom half of the table.
“The place where we are in the tournament currently, the mid-section, even though we have to keep winning games. They (RCB) still will be thinking that they have a chance if they win all the remaining games. At the moment every team has a chance,” he said.
GT have blown hot and cold in the tournament so far with 4 wins in 9 matches.
Source Agencies
