IPL 2026: Mohammed Shami will play for Lucknow Super Giants.© X/Twitter
Mohammed Shami is getting ready for a new IPL stint with the Lucknow Super Giants. Having played for teams such as Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, Shami is an experienced pacer. On the international front, he has been overlooked by the BCCI selectors in recent times. At 35, Shami faces a race against time to make a comeback to the national team. The IPL 2026, therefore, is crucial for him. While teams like Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been picked by most as favourites, Shami’s LSG are not being counted by experts as outright contenders.
Shami was asked about this on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast. “Where do you see LSG this year in the IPL? Because some of your ‘big’ teammates have not rated the team so far,” Shami was asked.
“My words will hurt – you are asking that type of question,” Shami replied with a smile. “People feel bad. Nobody becomes great by rating or giving numbers to somebody.”
Lucknow Super Giants will begin their campaign against Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. LSG captain Rishabh Pant will have little room for error in a critical year. Pant failed to deliver as a leader and frontline batter in his first season with LSG. Injuries to key players, especially fast bowlers, made his task considerably tougher.
This season, however, he has a fully fit squad at his disposal, further bolstered by the addition of seasoned campaigners Mohammed Shami and Anrich Nortje.
Injury-prone pace sensation Mayank Yadav has worked hard on his fitness over the past 12 months, and LSG will be hoping that he repays the strong faith the franchise has reposed in him.
Pacer Mohsin Khan is also making a comeback from injury, while Prince Yadav has impressed with his medium pace in the nets so far.