Mohammed Shami’s strong performance in IPL 2026 has started a new discussion about his value in Indian cricket. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra recently spoke about Shami’s form and questioned whether the fast bowler is getting the recognition he deserves.
Chopra shared his views while discussing Shami’s impressive bowling spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He suggested that India’s selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, should take notice of Shami’s current form and performances.
Chopra Questions Whether Shami Is Getting Enough Credit
Aakash Chopra said that Mohammed Shami delivered one of the most impressive bowling spells of the IPL season so far. According to him, Shami’s performance was especially remarkable because it came against a powerful Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup.
Chopra also pointed out that Shami has not been a regular part of the Indian team since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. After recovering from injury, the fast bowler played a full domestic season in 2025–26 to regain fitness and match rhythm.
Chopra mentioned that the national selectors and team management have been closely watching Shami’s fitness and performance levels.
Mohammed Shami’s Bowling Spell vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Shami produced an outstanding performance during the 10th match of IPL 2026 while playing for Lucknow. His disciplined bowling made it extremely difficult for the SRH batters to score runs.
Shami’s Match Bowling Figures
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Overs | 4 |
| Runs Conceded | 9 |
| Wickets | 2 |
| Dot Balls | 18 |
| Opposition | Sunrisers Hyderabad |
Shami dismissed both SRH openers early in the innings. Abhishek Sharma was out for 0, and Travis Head scored only 7 runs before getting dismissed.
Both wickets came through clever slower deliveries, which disrupted SRH’s start and put pressure on their batting lineup.
Chopra Explains Shami’s Bowling Strategy
Chopra praised the planning behind Shami’s spell. He explained that the bowler kept the ball full and aimed to bring it into the batters while maintaining a tight line close to the leg side.
This strategy prevented the batters from freeing their arms and playing attacking shots.
Chopra also explained the slower ball variation that Shami uses.
Unlike many bowlers who use knuckleballs or back-of-the-hand slower deliveries, Shami mainly relies on a traditional slower ball. He rolls his fingers over the ball to reduce the speed while keeping the same bowling action.
This variation helped him confuse the batters and control the scoring.
Also See : MI Coach Paras Mhambrey on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Hardik Pandya Ahead of RR vs MI IPL 2026 Match
Why This Performance Matters
Shami’s strong IPL performance has brought renewed attention to his role in Indian cricket.
After being away from the national team setup for some time, his consistent performances in domestic cricket and IPL 2026 show that he is still capable of delivering at a high level.
For Lucknow Super Giants, Shami has become a key leader in the fast bowling department. His experience, swing bowling ability, and control over line and length make him a valuable asset in pressure situations.
The IPL often acts as a stage where players prove their form and fitness, especially when national selection is being discussed.
Shami’s Growing Impact in IPL 2026
Shami’s spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad showed that he still has the ability to dominate strong batting lineups.
His mix of swing bowling, disciplined lines, and well-executed slower balls makes him a dangerous bowler in any condition.
As IPL 2026 progresses, performances like this could strengthen Shami’s case for a bigger role in Indian cricket again.
