Mohammed Shami, a noteworthy figure in Indian cricket, is currently at the center of discussions regarding his participation in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. The seasoned pacer has recently faced scrutiny for his non-selection in the national team and is attracting significant interest from multiple franchise teams. Notably, franchises such as SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals are exploring options for potentially acquiring the veteran bowler.
At 35 years old, Shami has had a remarkable 12-year international career, featuring in 64 Tests, 108 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 25 T20 Internationals. His performance has made him a valuable asset for IPL franchises, and both Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals have shown eagerness to bring him on board. It remains to be seen how SRH, his current team, will navigate the situation, considering the current demand for his services.
If a transaction occurs, it could manifest as a one-way trade, although releasing him into the auction pool is also a possibility. The all-cash trade scenario appears to be more plausible, given the current dynamics and the interests expressed by other franchises.
Shami was acquired by SRH for INR 10 crore in the most recent mega auction held in Jeddah; however, his performance last season yielded only six wickets at an average of 56.17 and an economy rate of 11.23. These figures contrast significantly with his career averages of 28.19 and 8.63, showcasing a notable decline. Overall, he has secured 133 wickets across 119 IPL matches, with a substantial portion of this success coming during his time with the Gujarat Titans, where he collected a total of 48 wickets over two seasons (20 wickets in 2022 and 28 in 2023). Unfortunately, Shami missed the entire IPL 2024 season due to injury, causing further concern about his fitness.
The level of interest from Delhi Capitals is underscored by recent comments from Sourav Ganguly, a prominent figure in their management. Ganguly highlighted Shami's enduring skills and fitness, suggesting that there are ongoing discussions between Shami and the selections for the national team. His belief that Shami still possesses the capability to contribute significantly across all formats of the game is a positive endorsement of the pacer's abilities.
Despite not participating in an international match since the Champions Trophy final in March, Shami's performance in domestic cricket has painted a different picture. In recent Ranji Trophy matches, he demonstrated his fitness by taking 15 wickets in just three games, reaffirming his potential as a critical player for any team looking to enhance its bowling lineup. As the IPL season approaches, the speculation surrounding Mohammed Shami's future will be one to watch closely, with various teams keenly interested in acquiring his services and SRH deliberating on its next steps.