Gujarat Titans’ pace bowler, Mohit Sharma, acknowledged the challenge of filling the shoes of Mohammed Shami, a high-caliber bowler who is currently sidelined due to an ankle surgery. This absence was keenly felt as the Titans suffered a significant 63-run defeat against the reigning IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings.
Shami’s absence from the IPL is part of his recovery process, with plans for his return during the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Unfortunately, this also means he’ll miss the T20 World Cup scheduled for June, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the USA.
Mohit Sharma, who formerly played for CSK and has been with the Titans since 2022, expressed understanding about the challenges of integrating new players like Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai into the team. He stressed the importance of patience and not being overly fixated on immediate results.
Reflecting on the match, Mohit Sharma highlighted CSK’s strong batting performance, particularly during the powerplay overs, which set the stage for their imposing total of 206 runs. He admitted that the Titans struggled to execute their bowling plans effectively, allowing CSK’s batsmen to score freely.
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Despite the loss,Mohit Sharma credited CSK’s bowlers for their skillful performance in restricting the Titans to 143/8. He emphasized the importance of bowlers possessing a variety of strategies and executing them effectively.
While acknowledging the pressure of chasing a target like 206, Sharma also noted the Titans’ early losses of wickets, which disrupted their momentum and prevented them from building partnerships. Ultimately, he praised CSK’s bowlers for their precision and acknowledged that the Titans fell short in their run chase due to a combination of factors, including CSK’s strong bowling and the Titans’ inability to accelerate the run rate.
In conclusion, Sharma emphasized the need for the Titans to learn from their mistakes, regroup, and approach future matches with renewed focus and determination.