Star India pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of next month's Indian Premier League because of a left ankle injury, and is likely to miss the T20 World Cup in June.
The 33-year-old took to X to share his pictures from the hospital. "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. He, reportedly, underwent the surgery in London.
The IPL is set to be played from March 22 to May 26, followed by the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. Shami's absence is a major blow for Gujarat Titans, who have already traded all-rounder and skipper Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians. Shami was the GT's highest wicket-taker during their runner-up finish in IPL last year.
Shami, who is eager to "get back on my feet soon", will probably need at least three months to recover. 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.
Shami last played for India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia on November 19. He was one of the stars of the Indian campaign, with 24 wickets.
He had flown to London in January to take special ankle injections, but it did not help him.
Shami, who was recently conferred with the Arjuna Award, has 229 Test, 195 ODI and 24 T20 wickets in his decade-long career.
(With PTI inputs)