Mohit Sharma and Ashish Nehra
Mohit Sharma and Ashish Nehra. Image Credits:Twitter

The 2014 IPL purple cap holder and 2015 World Cup semi-finalist, pacer Mohit Sharma shines for Gujarat Titans (GT) as he registers figures of 2/18 in their last clash. Initially, Mohit was in Ashish Nehra’s managed GT squad as a net bowler but he was rewarded to feature in the playing XI.  Mohit was brought into IPL 2023 mini-auction for INR 50 lakh.

GT has won three games and lost one this season, with the last match victory against Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six wickets and a ball to spare.

Mohit Sharma vs PBKS in IPL 2023
Mohit Sharma vs PBKS in IPL 2023. Image Credits: Twitter

Mohit Sharma says Gujarat Titans Head Coach Ashish Nehra said him to stay in the team-

“Got a call from Ashu Pa to stay with the team. (Mujhe laga ghar baithkey bhi kya karunga) I thought it would be better than staying at home (about being a net bowler for GT last year). Being a net bowler is not a bad thing. Gives you a lot of exposure. The environment at GT is brilliant,” Mohit said during the innings break.

While the need for a change in the pace attack arrived after 25-year-old Yash Dayal, GT pacer was smashed for five sixes in the last over of their third game leading to a last-ball defeat, as the opposition chased down the target of 205.

So, the day before their fourth fixture, Sharma’s phone pinged around 2-2:30 at night., as ‘You’re in,’ read the message from head coach Ashish Nehra.

“I have had a good time at this venue. I thought of sticking to my variations, had a chat with Hardik in the middle overs, luckily it paid off. You need to train hard, give your 100 percent. Need to bowl according to the situation, and stick to the basics. I was given a role to bowl after 10 overs. Credit goes to the coach who has defined everyone’s role in the team,” he stated after winning the Player of the Match award.

While Mohit last played in the 2019 IPL for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and was a part of the Titans’ net bowling unit last year. Mohit made his debut for the Men in Blue in 2013–and later was part of the squad of the ICC ODI World Cup 2015. In that particular edition, MS Dhoni-led side reached the semifinal spot, the 34-year-old last featured for Team India in 2015 in a T20I fixture.

Now, for their fifth game of the season GT will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 16, GT vs RR at Ahmedabad (7.30 PM IST).

Also read: IPL 2023: I Did Get A Call From The Lucknow Super Giants – Hardik Pandya’s Interesting Revelation On Joining Gujarat Titans