He is not expected to play in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.
Mohammed Shami aims to recover soon after undergoing surgery on his right Achilles tendon in London on Monday. This means he is unlikely to participate in IPL 2024, scheduled to be played from March 22 to May 26.
Shami has been out of action since India's ODI World Cup campaign, where he played a crucial role in India's run to the final. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 24 wickets in seven matches, averaging 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20.
He played through pain during the tournament and underwent injections to treat his ankle. He has not played cricket since.
The injury will come as a major blow to Shubman Gill's Gujarat Titans, who recently traded Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians in a cash deal, and Shami was the team's highest wicket-taker during their runners-up finish in the 2023 IPL.
In January, Shami had revealed that he was experiencing some stiffness in his ankle but was confident of recovering in time for the England Tests. However, the possibility of his inclusion was ruled out later in the month after he underwent a reassessment at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Shami had been named in India's squad for the South Africa Tests, but he was subsequently withdrawn due to persistent ankle pain that had already ruled him out of the white-ball leg of the tour.
During the ongoing WTC cycle, India has given Test caps to Mukesh Kumar (in the Caribbean) and Akash Deep (in Ranchi against England) in the absence of Shami, who has not featured in a single game. Shami's last Test was the WTC final against Australia at The Oval in June last year.
The injury is also expected to rule him out of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament kicks off in the Caribbean and the USA five days after the IPL ends.