Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) finished their IPL 2025 camapign on a high and defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a massive 110-run margin at the Arun Jaitley stadium on Sunday. It was a rare all-round performance from the Hyderabad-based franchise, who were only able to produce a total of six wins during the season.
Mohammed Shami didn't perform well in IPL 2025
One of their players whose performances were heavily criticized by fans and experts alike throughout the season was veteran pacer Mohammed Shami. After getting acquired by SRH for a massive fee of INR 10 crore at the 2025 IPL mega auction, many expected Shami to take a big number of scalps in the season.
However, to say that Shami underperformed would be an understatement as not only did he participate in just nine matches during the season, he wasn't able to bowl well in the matches he did play as well.
With just six wickets under his name along with an expensive economy rate of 11.23, it is safe to say that this was one of Shami's worst seasons in IPL. However, despite his poor showing, SRH coach Daniel Vettori backed the veteran in the press conference that took place following the side's hammering victory over KKR.
"It is a long time ago that he played T20 cricket, so it always takes a little bit to acclimate back into it. The game has progressed very quickly over those 18 months since the last time he played for GT he was a Purple Cap winner. I just think the challenge is remaining consistent for him," Vettori said at the post-match press conference.
"I think that's where he's at his best when he hits that length and probably just wasn't at that metronomical best that we've seen in the past. And that's partly a long layoff, that's partly the game. And I know that he worked exceptionally hard and he was desperate to do well, but it just wasn't quite his season. But there's no reason why he can't bounce back because of the quality of the bowler that he is," he added.
Meanwhile, Shami made a return to international cricket after over a year with the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The pacer had been sidelined due to an ankle injury which he sustained in 2023. Though he underwent a successful ankle surgery in February, 2024, he still wasn't fully recovered and due to his he wasn't able to make his return to the national team.
However, his performance for India in the ICC tournament earlier this year was commendable and he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Men in Blue, racking up nine scalps in five innings. Many expected that he would continue this form in IPL as well, however that certainly didn't end up happening.