Ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are reportedly making some bold decisions. Despite ongoing concerns about Mohammed Shami’s form and fitness, the franchise has decided not to release the veteran Indian pacer. In fact, SRH have rejected a ₹10 crore trade offer for him.
বল হাতে রঞ্জিতে দাপুটে পারফরম্যান্স, এই তারকাকে ছাড়ছে হায়দরাবাদ!
Shami joined Hyderabad in the 2025 mega auction for ₹10 crore. However, that season turned out to be a disappointing one for him, as injuries and inconsistent form plagued his campaign. He played only 9 matches, taking 6 wickets at an economy rate of 11.23 — far below his usual standards.
Despite that, the SRH management has chosen to stand by him. They reportedly believe that Shami can regain his rhythm and perform like the match-winner he once was.
According to team sources, captain Pat Cummins and the support staff made it clear that Shami’s presence in the dressing room is invaluable. “His experience and leadership qualities are an inspiration for the younger bowlers,” said an SRH official.
The team already has other Indian pacers like Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat, but Shami’s experience and skill with the new ball still make him indispensable.
While 2025 was a forgettable year for Shami, 2024 told a completely different story. That year, he won the Purple Cap with 28 wickets, marking one of the best seasons of his IPL career. SRH remains hopeful that, based on his recent performances in domestic cricket and his strong Ranji Trophy comeback, they will see the old Shami return in the next season.
So far, Shami has played 119 IPL matches, taking 133 wickets — a testament to his consistency and longevity. However, at 36 years old, his injury concerns and fluctuating form continue to pose challenges for Hyderabad. Still, SRH’s faith in experience over short-term form might just pay off this time.