NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami may have failed to impress the national selectors for an India comeback, but the veteran pacer continues to command strong interest in the IPL, with multiple franchises keen to sign him as the retention deadline approaches, Cricbuzz reported. His franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad is currently exploring ways to make the most of the growing demand for the pacer.
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Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals have emerged as the frontrunners to express interest in the veteran Indian pacer, who has represented the country in 64 Tests, 108 ODIs, and 25 T20Is. It remains to be seen how the SRH management responds to the growing demand.
If a deal materialises, it is likely to be a one-way, all-cash trade, though Sunrisers Hyderabad could also opt to release Mohammed Shami into the auction pool. However, the trade option currently appears more probable.
Shami, who was signed by SRH for Rs 10 crore at the previous mega auction in Jeddah, endured a below-par season last year - managing just six wickets at an average of 56.17 and an economy rate of 11.23, well below his career benchmarks of 28.19 and 8.63 respectively.
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Across 119 IPL matches, the veteran pacer has bagged 133 wickets, with his most successful stint coming for Gujarat Titans in 2022 and 2023, where he picked up a combined 48 wickets (20 and 28 respectively). He missed the entire IPL 2024 campaign due to injury.
Shami hasn't featured in international cricket since the Champions Trophy final in Dubai in March this year, with his fitness becoming a major talking point amid a brief public exchange between chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the pacer himself.
However, Shami has since silenced doubts over his fitness with strong performances in domestic cricket, picking up 15 wickets in his last three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal this season.
