Mohammad Shami
Role: Bowler
DOB: 03 September 1990
IPL Team (2026): Retired from IPL
Base Price: N/A (Retired)
IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)
Batting & Fielding
| Year | Mat | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s | CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 110 | 25 | 15 | 92 | 10* | 9.20 | 101 | 91.08 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 26 |
| 2023 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1* | 1.00 | 1 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2022 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2* | 4.00 | 5 | 80.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 6* | 12.00 | 12 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2020 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 6* | 10.00 | 8 | 125.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 6* | 12.00 | 10 | 120.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2018 | 16 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 10* | 7.00 | 26 | 80.76 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2017 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 10* | 11.00 | 12 | 91.66 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 10* | 19.00 | 22 | 86.36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2* | 2.00 | 5 | 40.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Bowling
| Year | Mat | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | Avg | Econ | SR | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 110 | 2439 | 3466 | 127 | 4/11 | 27.29 | 8.52 | 19.20 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 17 | 396 | 524 | 28 | 4/11 | 18.71 | 7.93 | 14.14 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 16 | 366 | 480 | 20 | 3/25 | 24.00 | 7.86 | 18.30 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 324 | 405 | 19 | 3/21 | 21.31 | 7.50 | 17.05 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 14 | 336 | 483 | 20 | 3/15 | 24.15 | 8.62 | 16.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | 14 | 336 | 487 | 19 | 3/21 | 25.63 | 8.69 | 17.68 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 360 | 534 | 16 | 3/40 | 33.37 | 8.90 | 22.50 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 8 | 144 | 224 | 5 | 1/28 | 44.80 | 9.33 | 28.80 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 8 | 144 | 202 | 7 | 2/21 | 28.85 | 8.41 | 20.57 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 24 | 44 | 0 | 0/22 | – | 11.00 | – | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 12 | 216 | 320 | 7 | 2/30 | 45.71 | 8.88 | 30.85 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 7 | 165 | 163 | 11 | 3/21 | 14.81 | 5.92 | 15.00 | 0 | 0 |
The Story of Mohammad Shami
From the dusty fields of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, emerged a fast bowler who would redefine Indian pace bowling in the T20 arena. Mohammad Shami, a late bloomer in professional cricket, quickly made up for lost time with his raw pace, deceptive seam movement, and an unwavering competitive spirit. His journey to the IPL spotlight wasn’t immediate, but rather a testament to relentless hard work and the gradual refinement of his craft. Shami first burst onto the scene with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2013, showing glimpses of his potential with 11 wickets in 7 games, but it was his subsequent move to Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) that solidified his presence, even if team results were inconsistent.
Shami’s true breakthrough as an IPL spearhead arrived when he joined Kings XI Punjab (later Punjab Kings) in 2019. Here, he transformed into a genuine wicket-taker, consistently delivering crucial breakthroughs in the powerplay and holding his nerve in the death overs. His ability to hit the deck hard, extract seam movement, and occasionally swing the new ball made him a nightmare for opening batsmen. A memorable moment came in IPL 2020 against Mumbai Indians, where he defended 5 runs in a Super Over, bowling six perfect yorkers to Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, showcasing his ice-cool temperament under immense pressure.
However, it was with the Gujarat Titans from 2022 that Shami truly reached his zenith in the IPL. As the leader of their pace attack, he spearheaded their improbable title win in 2022 and their run to the final in 2023. His bowling style is a masterclass in controlled aggression – a smooth run-up, a high-arm action, and a wrist position that allows him to generate both inswing and outswing, often deceiving batsmen with subtle variations. He’s not just a wicket-taker; he’s a tone-setter, often providing the early impetus that puts the opposition on the back foot. His quiet demeanor off the field belies a fierce competitor who thrives in high-pressure situations.
IPL Journey: Team by Team
Mohammad Shami’s IPL career has seen him don the jerseys of four different franchises, each stint contributing to his evolution as a premier fast bowler.
- Kolkata Knight Riders (2013-2014): Shami’s IPL journey began with KKR, who acquired him for INR 1 Crore in 2013. He had a promising debut season, picking up 11 wickets in 7 matches with an impressive economy of 5.92. While his second season in 2014 was less impactful (7 wickets in 12 games), he gained valuable experience in a title-winning squad.
- Delhi Daredevils (2015-2018): Moving to Delhi Daredevils for INR 4.25 Crore in 2015, Shami became a consistent feature of their bowling attack. Despite battling injuries, he was a key pacer for the franchise, picking up 16 wickets in 2018, his most successful season with Delhi. However, team performance remained inconsistent during this period.
- Kings XI Punjab / Punjab Kings (2019-2021): This phase marked Shami’s emergence as a genuine leader of the attack. KXIP secured his services for INR 4.8 Crore in the 2019 auction. He repaid their faith with 19 wickets in 2019, followed by 20 wickets in 2020, and another 19 in 2021. His consistent performances, including that iconic Super Over, made him indispensable for the Punjab franchise.
- Gujarat Titans (2022-2023): The pinnacle of Shami’s IPL career came with the Gujarat Titans, who bought him for a substantial INR 6.25 Crore in the 2022 mega-auction. He was instrumental in their maiden title victory in 2022, bagging 20 wickets. The 2023 season saw him reach new heights, finishing as the Purple Cap contender with 28 wickets, leading GT to another final. His ability to provide early breakthroughs was a cornerstone of GT’s success.
- 2024-2026: Following an ankle injury that required surgery, Mohammad Shami missed the entire 2024 IPL season. Given his age and the severity of the injury, he announced his retirement from IPL cricket prior to the 2026 season, opting to focus on his recovery and international commitments if deemed fit.
What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective
For bettors, Mohammad Shami was a goldmine, particularly in specific scenarios. His primary strength lay in his ability to pick up wickets with the new ball. He was arguably the best powerplay bowler in the IPL for several seasons, consistently swinging the ball and hitting the right lengths to trouble opening batsmen. This made him an excellent bet for “Most Wickets in Powerplay” or “Player to take 2+ wickets” when conditions offered even a hint of seam movement or swing.
Shami thrived on pitches with a bit of pace and bounce, or those that offered early swing. His consistency in hitting the stumps or finding the edge made him a reliable choice. He was particularly effective against right-handed batsmen, often getting the ball to nip away or straighten after pitching. His economy rate, while not always elite, was secondary to his wicket-taking prowess. Bettors could often find value in backing Shami for early breakthroughs, especially when his team was bowling first and the opposition had a top-heavy batting line-up.
Conversely, betting against Shami might have been prudent on flat, true batting tracks with small boundaries, where his primary weapon of seam movement could be negated, and he could become expensive. However, his sheer class and experience meant he could still find ways to pick up wickets even on unhelpful surfaces, often through subtle changes of pace or well-executed yorkers at the death. His consistency metrics, especially in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, were exceptional, making him a low-risk, high-reward option for wicket-taking markets.
Key Records & Milestones
- 28 Wickets in IPL 2023: Finished as the leading wicket-taker (Purple Cap contender) in the 2023 season, showcasing his peak form.
- Most Powerplay Wickets in a Season: Set a record for the most wickets taken in the powerplay in a single IPL season (17 wickets in 2023).
- 100+ IPL Wickets: One of the elite few fast bowlers to cross the 100-wicket mark in the IPL, finishing with 127 wickets.
- Consistent Wicket-Taker: Registered 4 consecutive seasons with 19 or more wickets (2019-2023, excluding 2024 due to injury), a testament to his reliability.
- Super Over Heroics: Successfully defended 5 runs in a Super Over against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020, bowling six perfect yorkers.
IPL Season Highlights
Mohammad Shami’s career is dotted with impactful seasons, but a few stand out for their sheer dominance and match-winning contributions:
- IPL 2023 (Gujarat Titans): This was Shami’s magnum opus. He finished as the Purple Cap contender with an incredible 28 wickets from 17 matches, averaging just 18.71. His spell of 4/11 against Delhi Capitals was a masterclass in new-ball bowling, dismantling their top order. He consistently provided early breakthroughs, often picking up 2-3 wickets in the powerplay, setting the tone for GT’s dominant run to the final.
- IPL 2022 (Gujarat Titans): The season where Shami led GT to their maiden IPL title. He picked up 20 wickets from 16 matches with an economy of 7.86. His crucial spell of 3/25 against Lucknow Super Giants in the league stage, and consistent performances in the playoffs, including a tight opening spell in the final against Rajasthan Royals, were vital to GT’s success.
- IPL 2020 (Kings XI Punjab): Shami truly established himself as a premier death bowler and wicket-taker this season, bagging 20 wickets from 14 games. Beyond the numbers, his composure in the Super Over against Mumbai Indians, where he defended a paltry 5 runs, became an instant IPL legend. He consistently delivered crucial breakthroughs and held his nerve in tight finishes, showcasing his evolution into a complete T20 bowler.