Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League has become a great way for players from all over the world to prove their talent on the international stage. Many players from India and abroad come to the IPL and entertain the fans with their bowling or batting. Many time it happens that a player becomes everyone's favorite by performing brilliantly in one season and then disappears from the limelight the next season. Something similar happened with Mohit Sharma.
Fast bowler Mohit, who won the Purple Cap in 2014, has been missing from the IPL for the last several years. Mohit played his debut match for Gujarat Titans in the 2023 th match of IPL 18 against Punjab Kings on Thursday.
Mohit, who returned to the audience after a long time, once again had a chance to showcase his talent. On the uneven pitch in Mohali, Mohit used a hard-length ball, which he has been practicing in the Gujarat Titans nets for a long time. Mohit also got the benefit of this as he got two wickets for 18 runs in four overs.
Mohit dismissed Jitesh Sharma in his first over, who fell on the edge of the bat on the straight ball while trying to play back foot punch.
Mohit took his second wicket in the 19th over of the innings. He put the offcutter- bouncer with the angle against Sam Curran, on which Curran was caught at deep mid wicket while trying to play a shot in the leg-side direction.
Mohit's comeback was fantastic. At this time last year, Mohit was with the Titans as a net bowler in the IPL. Mohit was unsold in the IPL 2022 mega auction and got a chance to work with his bowling when Titans coach Ashish Nehra offered him the role of net-bowler. After which during the 2023 auction, Gujarat Titans bought him at a base price of 50 lakhs.
"I had a back surgery, and not many people thought I had played enough domestic cricket [to be signed at the auction]. I got a call from Ashu bhai, he said I should stay with the team, and if someone gets injured I will get a chance."
"Obviously, if you have to upgrade your cricket or improve it in any way, you need competitive practice. I thought, what am I going to do sitting at home? I was here and doing competitive practice, I got myself involved in cricket and I think it was a good time for me."
Mohit, who was part of the Indian team that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2015, did not shy away from becoming a net bowler despite his experience and stature.
"Being a net bowler is not a bad thing. You get very good performances, you get to play with good players, and if you don't practice competitively, your cricket won't develop."