Mohammed Shami Traded from SRH to LSG for ₹10 Crore Ahead of IPL 2026
In a big move, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have agreed to trade India’s star bowler Mohammed Shami to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Sources say this will most likely be an all-cash deal, with LSG paying SRH ₹10 crore (around $1.12 million), which is the same amount Shami was bought for at the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Both teams have reportedly agreed to the trade in principle, but it still needs Shami’s approval. The IPL has set a deadline of 3 PM on November 15 for teams to submit the list of players they plan to release from their 2025 squads. Shami, 35, has not regained his spot in the India team since he played the Champions Trophy final in March.
While he has been playing for Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Shami admitted he was going through a "difficult phase" after he was not picked for the home Test series against West Indies in October and the ongoing two-Test series against South Africa. He was not considered for the five-Test tour of England as well this summer, immediately after he had a poor IPL season.
Shami played only nine of SRH's 14 matches and took six wickets at an average of 56.16 with an economy rate of 11.23. His economy in Hyderabad, SRH's home venue, rose to 12.35; he also conceded 75 runs in a wicketless game there against Punjab Kings - the second-most expensive spell in IPL history.
Mohammed Shami Set for Trade from SRH to LSG in ₹10 Crore Deal
SRH had bought Mohammed Shami for ₹10 crore at the auction before IPL 2025, after he had impressed in the powerplay while playing for Gujarat Titans from 2022 to 2024. In IPL 2022 and 2023, he took 28 wickets in the first six overs, while the next best bowlers in that period were Trent Boult with 20 and Mohammed Siraj with 15.
Unfortunately, Shami missed IPL 2024 due to injury, and his powerplay performance in IPL 2025 was disappointing, he managed just five wickets in nine matches, with an economy rate of 10.3. With Shami struggling with fitness, form, and pace, there was a question over whether SRH would retain him for IPL 2026. The franchise, led by head coach Daniel Vettori, had been discussing the matter until the trade offer from LSG arrived this week.
Shami Set to Join LSG Amid Fast-Bowler Injury Concerns
At LSG, Shami is set to rejoin forces with former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who is the head of talent development at the franchise. Arun had played an important role in India developing one of the most successful bowling units of the last decade when he worked closely with the group comprising Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
Shami joining LSG could be connected to the fitness of their Indian fast bowlers, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan. All three are currently injured and not playing domestic cricket.
Mayank had surgery in June for a lower back problem. Mohsin is recovering from a knee ligament injury he got in December while playing for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Avesh is healing from a cartilage problem in his right knee. The Shami deal is the second big-player trade in the past week. The first involved Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, who agreed to swap Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran with Sanju Samson.
Like with that trade, this one also requires SRH, LSG and the player to complete the necessary paperwork before it gets ratified by the IPL. Both teams have been contacted for a response.
