Mohammed Shami on the radar of 3 IPL teams:Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer garnering interest from Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants

As the IPL retention day deadline is moving closer, another blockbuster trade involving Mohammed Shami has caught the headlines. Buzz is that the veteran Indian pacer is in the spotlight of three IPL franchises, including Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals. Even his current franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad, is in a dilemma over whether to retain him, given the 35-year-old pacer’s demand among the cash-rich league’s franchises. Although Shami was underwhelming with the ball in the last edition of the IPL, the Delhi Capitals are more favoured to pick up the pacer. Why? let’s move ahead with it. Also Read| Gill admits Shami omission was ‘difficult’ before South Africa Tests: India skipper says ‘few bowlers of his quality’ Why Delhi Capitals more favoured to pick Mohammed Shami? Despite the interest from multiple franchises, the Delhi Capitals are favourites to get Shami into their squad. Reason? Sourav Ganguly’s recent statement about the pacer after he was not included in the Test squad against West Indies at home. Former India skipper said: I’m sure the selectors are watching and there is communication between Mohammad Shami and the selectors. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skill, it’s the Mohammad Shami we know of. Further adding to Shami’s praise, a former part of DC’s management, Sourav Ganguly added, “So, I really don’t see any reason why he can’t keep playing Test matches, one-day cricket and T20 cricket for India. Because that skill is enormous.” Even with the ongoing demand and DC, more suited to land the 35-year-old pacer with Ganguly’s obvious interest, what are the potential ways that Mohammed Shami can land in other franchises? Also Read| ‘Great honour to be part of KKR’:Shane Watson joins Kolkata Knight Riders as Assistant Coach One-way trade or squad release are potential options for 35-year-old pacer There are chances that Sunrisers Hyderabad might opt to go for a one-way trade with another team in case they decide to send the pacer off the team. Meanwhile, another option is that the SRH can release him into the auction pool. Mohammed Shami was underwhelming with the ball in IPL 2025 Shami was bought by SRH for Rs 10 crore at the last mega auction in Jeddah, but his performance last season was not to talk of. He just scalped six wickets at an underwhelming average of 56.17 and an economy rate of 11.23, compared to his career figures of 28.19 and 8.63, respectively. Overall, he has taken 133 wickets in 119 IPL games, thanks to his two stellar seasons for the Gujarat Titans in 2022 and 2023. In those two seasons, he scalped 48 wickets, although he missed the entire IPL 2024 due to injury. Why the sudden surge in demand for Shami? The 35-year-old pacer has not played an international match since the Champions Trophy final in Dubai in March this year, and his fitness status became a hot topic. He even got involved in public disagreements with chief selector Ajit Agarkar. ​​​​​​ However, Shami proved his fitness in the first-class matches for Bengal this season, claiming 15 wickets in the last three Ranji games. That’s why he has again become the candy that IPL franchises are eager to pick up before the IPL retention deadline.