Gujarat Titans pacer Mohammed Shami was one of the players retained by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. The franchise traded its captain Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians, on the day of retention, which is the biggest news regarding the upcoming IL season so far.

Shami has been in top form all year. He took 28 wickets in IPL 2023 and followed it up with 24 wickets in ICC World Cup 2023. His performances were key for India to reach the final of the World Cup. From being considered a single-format bowler, Shami has returned to all formats in the last two years.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans CEO Arvinder Singh revealed details of a potential trade deal that could have ended Shami’s stay with the Titans. He spoke about how a particular IPL franchise had recently asked the pacer to join their team without the knowledge of the BCCI. He did not reveal the name of the franchise in his interaction.

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In a statement, he talked about how unhappy he was with the entire scenario even though the rules were well established for trading any particular player. He also said that he was not happy with the way the particular franchise was going against the rules set by the IPL’s governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Mohammed Shami is a very important part of our team: Arvinder Singh, CEO of Gujarat Titans

“Look, every team has the right to hire good players to strengthen their team. Mohammed Shami did well for us, he won the purple cap last season and performed well in the World Cup. He is a very important part of our team. The bad thing is when some franchises approach the players directly. The BCCI has drawn up a negotiation procedure. There is an expression of interest that goes to the BCCI and is subsequently shared with the concerned franchise, who can then take a call to proceed with the trade or not,” Singh said in an interview with News 18.

The Indian pacer is currently on a break from international cricket. He is currently recovering from an ankle injury but still features in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour to South Africa. The senior pacer has rested from the white-ball series.

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