New Delhi, November 21, 2024
Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has responded strongly to former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar’s remarks regarding his potential price drop in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Shami took to Instagram to share a sarcastic response to Manjrekar’s comments about his injury history affecting his value in the auction.
Shami’s Reply to Manjrekar
Sharing his thoughts on Manjrekar’s analysis, Shami wrote:
“Baba ki jay hoooooo. Thoda sa gyaan apne future ke liye bhi bacha lo kaam ayega Sanjay G? Kisi ko future janna ho to sir se mile (Salute to the wiseman. Sanjay ji, please save some of this advice for your own future? If someone wants to know about their future, they should contact him).”
Shami’s statement appeared to be a direct rebuttal to Manjrekar’s cautious assessment of his prospects in the IPL auction, given the pacer’s injury concerns over the past year.
Manjrekar’s Concerns
Speaking during a Star Sports show, Manjrekar suggested that Shami’s injury history, including his prolonged absence due to a heel tendon issue, might lead franchises to bid conservatively.
“There will definitely be interest from teams, but given Shami’s injury history—and this recent one took a significant amount of time to recover—there’s always a concern about a potential breakdown during the season. This might lead to a drop in his price tag,” Manjrekar said.
Shami’s Recent Form and IPL History
Shami, who was instrumental in Gujarat Titans’ IPL success, claimed the Purple Cap in 2023 with an impressive haul of 28 wickets. However, the 34-year-old pacer missed the IPL 2024 season due to surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process following his injury during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The pacer recently made a return to competitive cricket, representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, and is expected to be a key contender in the auction’s marquee category.
Titans’ Retained Players and Auction Details
The Gujarat Titans have retained key players, including:
- Rashid Khan (₹18 crore)
- Shubman Gill (₹16.5 crore)
- Sai Sudharsan (₹8.5 crore)
- Rahul Tewatia (₹4 crore)
- Shahrukh Khan (₹4 crore)
The IPL 2025 mega auction is set to take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, where Shami is likely to attract attention from franchises, despite concerns regarding his fitness.
What’s Next for Shami?
If fully fit, Shami remains one of the most lethal white-ball bowlers in the world. The upcoming auction will determine how much weight franchises place on his recent injury history versus his exceptional track record in the IPL.
Stay tuned to the Board of Sports in India (BOSI) for the latest updates on the IPL mega auction and other cricketing news.
