Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra is frustrated ahead of the upcoming IPL 2024 season. He talked about replacing two key players in the team, namely Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami.
In the two years of the franchise’s existence, Shami and Pandya played very crucial roles. With their experience, GT made it to back-to-back finals. However, ahead of the upcoming IPL season, Pandya was traded to five-time champions and his former team Mumbai Indians. Shami got ruled out of the entire tournament due to a surgery on his Achilles tendon.
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As a result, GT will be missing these two key figures in their playing XI as young Shubman Gill is set to lead the two-time finalists. Nehra talked about replacing the experience and talent of the veteran players. He felt that players like Umesh Yadav and Sai Kishore will get an opportunity to step in and perform in the absence of Pandya and Shami.
What Nehra Said On Missing Hardik Pandya, Shami:
“No matter what sport, you have to move on. It is impossible to buy experience to replace Hardik, Shami. It’s not going to be easy for us. But it is a learning curve. Every year, new guys come and they step in to fill the void. That’s how teams move forward. Every IPL team has the luxury of having 25 players. It’s true that it is a 12-person game, but you are talking about Hardik Pandya and Shami.
Trying to fill their shoes is never going to be easy. But, like I said, we have enough people. Umesh Yadav is a guy who has been playing IPL for 10-12 years. Sai Kishore didn’t play last year, but he’s been doing so well. So, you will see new guys every year and you have to believe in yourself and prepare for that,” Nehra said.