IPL 2024: Matthew Wade to miss first two matches for Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans’ wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade will miss at least first two matches of IPL 2024 as the Australian will be playing in the Sheffield Shield final for Tasmania. The Sheffield Shield final will be played from 21 to 25 March, while IPL 2024 starts on 22 March. Gujarat Titans are scheduled to start their IPL 2024 campaign against Mumbai Indians on 24 March at Ahmedabad before facing Chennai Super Kings in the second match away from home on 26 March. With the first match clashing with the Sheffield Shield final and the CSK game immediately after the summit clash, Wade is not expected to be a part of GT in their first two matches.

The Australia, however, could be available GT’s third IPL 2024 match which is against Sunrisers Hyderabad on 31 March.

“He’s spoken with his IPL franchise and they’re happy to allow him to stay here, which probably equates to him potentially missing their first game,” Tasmania head coach Jeff Vaughan told reporters in Hobart.

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“We feel very fortunate to have someone of Matt’s ilk coming back into our group, and his experience and his performances at the back end of our season,” said Vaughan.

Wade has been part of GT team since its inception in 2022 when they went on to win the IPL title in their first season. In 2022, he scored 157 runs at strike rate of 113 in 10 matches.

The 36-year-old did not feature in any of GT’s matches last season as the team opted for Wriddhiman Saha as its wicketkeeper-batter.