Mohammed Shami has once again become a focal point in the IPL discussions, but this time the conversations stem from the trading market instead of national team choices. As reported by Cricbuzz, the experienced Indian pacer has garnered significant attention from both the Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), positioning him as one of the most coveted players ahead of IPL 2026.
Currently signed with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Shami has seen interest from two franchises looking to bolster their bowling lineup before the upcoming mega auction. It has been suggested that SRH is contemplating whether to pursue an all-cash trade or release him into the auction pool, depending on what aligns best with their long-term strategy.
The 35-year-old had a subdued performance in IPL 2025, participating in nine matches for SRH, where he managed to take only six wickets while maintaining an economy rate of 11.23 after being acquired for Rs 10 crore, which did not meet the franchise’s expectations. Nonetheless, his overall IPL stats of 133 wickets in 119 matches, including remarkable seasons with the Gujarat Titans in 2022 and 2023, still make him a valuable asset.
Shami could play a crucial role for DC or LSG
The interest from DC becomes more evident when considering their pace bowling challenges in 2025. Their bowling attack heavily relied on overseas star Mitchell Starc, while players like Mohit Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, and Mukesh Kumar struggled to provide consistent support. T Natarajan was only featured once throughout the season. In search of depth and dependability, Shami would bring both experience and a proven ability to take wickets, assuming DC can make the necessary roster adjustments to accommodate him.
LSG is also on the lookout for enhancements after a challenging season from their fast bowlers. Following Mayank Yadav’s injury before IPL 2025, the team relied on Avesh Khan, Akash Deep, Prince Yadav, and Shamar Joseph, none of whom proved to be consistent threats against opposing teams. In this light, Shami represents a significant upgrade in terms of both new-ball effectiveness and middle-overs control, making him a compelling target for their rebuilding efforts.
This year, Shami’s absence from the Indian squad has also brought attention to his future, although he has demonstrated his fitness in first-class cricket recently. Earlier this month, Delhi Capitals director Sourav Ganguly commended his skill level and remarked that Shami still possesses the capability to make significant contributions across formats.
Active trading window
The buzz surrounding Shami comes amidst a bustling trading window. The Mumbai Indians have finalized two confirmed transactions, acquiring Shardul Thakur from LSG for Rs 2 crore and Sherfane Rutherford from Gujarat Titans for Rs 2.6 crore. Additionally, a potential multi-player exchange between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, involving Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Sanju Samson, has generated considerable excitement.
In this broader context, Shami’s situation may emerge as the next significant move of the off-season. Whether SRH opts to trade him to DC or LSG, or decides to release him into the auction pool, the demand for the veteran fast bowler indicates that his IPL journey may be entering a new chapter.