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The “Return of the King” took on a literal meaning at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium as Mohammed Shami delivered a masterclass in swing bowling against his former franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Traded to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the IPL 2026 season for ₹10 crore, Shami proved exactly why LSG kept the faith despite his lackluster 2025 season.
Shami’s spell was nothing short of a nightmare for the Sunrisers’ top order. He finished with staggering figures of 2 for 9 in his four overs, maintaining an elite economy rate of 2.25. By removing the explosive duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head within the first three overs, Shami effectively broke the spine of the SRH batting lineup before the Powerplay could even take off.
A Tale of Two Seasons: From “Expensive” to “Invaluable”
The irony of Shami’s performance wasn’t lost on the Hyderabad crowd. In IPL 2025, Shami struggled significantly in SRH colors, picking up only 6 wickets in 9 matches with an inflated economy of 11.23. His 0/75 spell against Punjab Kings last year was a low point that likely triggered the trade.
However, in LSG colors, Shami looked like a completely different beast. While SRH’s decision to trade him was based on past data, LSG’s investment paid off as he provided the veteran leadership and new-ball control that SRH desperately lacked in this encounter.
Powerplay Paralysis
Shami’s impact went beyond just the wickets column. His ability to “choke” the scoring rate forced SRH into a defensive shell, resulting in a measly 22 runs in the Powerplay. This forced the middle order, including the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy, to bat for survival rather than aggression—a complete shift from the “intent-heavy” brand of cricket SRH has championed recently.
As LSG continues their strong run in IPL 2026, this match stands as a stark reminder of the “Trade Curse”—where a player’s true value is often realized only after they’ve moved to the opposition dugout.