Lucknow Super Giants have suffered a big blow with the uncapped Indian pacer Mohsin Khan set to miss the majority of the IPL 2023. The left arm pacer underwent surgery to remove blood clots in his shoulder last year but hasn't resumed bowling yet.
Mohsin experienced discomfort in his bowling shoulder last year and hasn't played any competitive cricket since the last IPL. He has been to National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru where he had the blood clots removed surgically.
Mohsin is currently part of the Super Giants' training camp in Lucknow. It is learnt that Mohsin has been batting in the nets but is not ready to start bowling just yet as he is still regaining strength in his bowling shoulder.
Super Giants remain hopeful that Mohsin will start bowling in the second half of the IPL. Lucknow, who finished third in their maiden IPL season, bought the experienced left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat as a replacement. However, they kept Mohsin in the squad and have given him full support throughout the rehab phase.
Mohsin had played a key role in Super Giants' success last year. He didn't have a great start, conceding 18 runs off two overs in their opening game and was left out in several matches. He returned to the playing XI in the second half and picked 14 wickets in eight games at an economy of under six.
His 4 for 16 versus Delhi Capitals and 3 for 20 against Kolkata Knight Riders were amongst the best performances in the season. In the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mohsin conceded just 25 runs and picked a wicket in a match where 400 runs were scored across two innings.
Mohsin had the best economy rate (5.25) in the powerplay and was the fifth best bowler in death overs, conceding at 8.62. He was entrusted by LSG to bowl difficult overs and he had come out with flying colours so much that he was in contention to play for India.
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Chennai Super Kings don't have much hope for Mukesh Choudhary
Mukesh Choudhary, another left arm pacer who was mighty impressive in the previous IPL edition, is most likely to be ruled out of the upcoming season with an injury. The 26-yr old was one of the positive things for Chennai Super Kings in an otherwise disappointing season where they finished ninth on the table with four wins out of 14 games.
Choudhary picked 16 wickets in 13 matches last year and has played a few List A games for Maharashtra but has been out of action since December.
Choudhary is currently undergoing rehab for his back injury at the NCA in Bengaluru. The CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that they don't have much hopes of Choudhary's participation in the IPL 2023.
“We are waiting on Mukesh but we do not have much hope. He was one of our bowling mainstays last year. It will be unfortunate if he misses out,” said Kasi Viswanathan.
Choudhary's unavailability could be good news for Rajvardhan Hangargekar, who had starred in the Under-19 but hasn't received opportunities at CSK.
