 "Mohammed Shami had a poor IPL 2025 and has not played for India since March. Reuters")
Despite being out of favour with the current Indian management, Mohammed Shami still continues to be a player in demand ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) retention announcement deadline of Saturday, November 15.
Follow LIVE | IPL Trade news before 2026 auction
The 35-year-old spent last season with SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH), who bought the pacer for INR 10 crore at the mega auction. However, he had a disappointing 2025 season as he could pick up only six wickets at an inflated average of 56.17 and a poor economy of 11.23. Due to his poor returns, Shami could not find space in the SRH playing XI consistently.
Shami could not adjust well to the flat surface in Hyderabad and his numbers for the 2025 edition were in sharp contrast with his brilliant outings for the Gujarat Titans, with whom the pacer picked up 48 wickets in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He missed the 2024 edition due to injury.
LSG, DC show interest in trading in Shami
Despite entering the season as runners-up, SRH had an underwhelming IPL 2025 and could only get six wins in 14 games. They finished sixth in the table, just below Delhi Capitals (DC) and just above Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are the two teams interested in signing Shami, as per a report in Cricbuzz.
LSG and DC both struggled with their pace bowling department last year and the addition of an experienced campaigner like Shami will definitely be a boost. The star Indian pacer has 133 wickets in 117 IPL matches and his ability to run through the top orders could come in handy for any team.
SRH are reportedly weighing their options and a trade to one of LSG or DC is a bigger possibility than the release of Shami.
Team India looking beyond Shami?
The 35-year-old has not played for India since the Champions Trophy final in early 2025. India Test captain Shubman Gill said on Thursday that the team was looking ahead .
“It’s never easy when someone like Shami bhai has to miss out, but at the same time, we have to plan ahead,” Gill replied to a query regarding the pacer.
Quick Reads
View AllShami is currently playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and has 15 wickets in the first three rounds.