Mohammed Shami Dismantles Sunrisers Hyderabad Top Order to Validate Rs 10 Crore LSG Trade
Lucknow Super Giants acquired Mohammed Shami for Rs 10 crore during the trade window, moving him away from Sunrisers Hyderabad. On Sunday, the 34-year-old fast bowler validated that investment by dismantling his former franchise’s top order. Shami recorded figures of 2/9, delivering 18 dot balls and earning the Player of the Match award.
Match Statistics: Mohammed Shami vs SRH
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4.0 |
| Runs Conceded | 9 |
| Wickets | 2 |
| Dot Balls | 18 |
| Economy Rate | 2.25 |
Tactical Execution in the Powerplay
Shami started his spell over the wicket to Travis Head. Anticipating away movement, Head adjusted his stance. Shami countered by bowling three consecutive deliveries that jagged back, restricting the Australian batsman. On the fourth delivery, Shami bowled across the line on a perfect length, forcing Head to nudge the ball for a single.
Against Abhishek Sharma, Shami utilized field placements to set a trap. He moved the deep third man to deep point, suggesting width outside the off stump. Instead, Shami delivered a yorker directed at the leg stump. For the final ball of the opening over, he adjusted the off-side field again. This time, he bowled wide with a cutter. Sharma swung early and was caught at short third for a duck.
Returning for his next over, Shami deployed another cutter. Head pressed forward, his bottom hand slipped, and Aiden Markram completed a diving catch at mid-off.
Return from Injury and Domestic Performance
Shami experienced a challenging previous season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking six wickets in nine matches before facing injury setbacks. Following his dominant performance at the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, he spent significant time recovering from ankle surgery.
“I am not a machine. If you are fit, only then can you work on your skills,” Shami told reporters post-match. “That is why I kept in touch with the game and played the domestic games.”
His return to domestic cricket included a heavy workload in the Ranji Trophy, where he secured 67 wickets for Bengal.
- Trade Value: Rs 10 crore
- Current Franchise: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
- Previous Franchise: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Former Delhi fast bowler Sanjeev Sharma evaluated the performance. “If he keeps bowling like this, it will be difficult for the selectors to ignore him,” Sharma said. “Play him in the upcoming series, but his body needs careful management.”
Approaching the later stages of his career, Shami continues to demonstrate elite fast-bowling mechanics in the Indian Premier League, combining technical precision with active tactical planning.