India’s out-of-favour pacer Mohammed Shami is not planning to bid goodbye to international arena. Despite repeated snubs from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, Shami is determined to make a comeback to the Indian side. After delivering in domestic cricket across formats in previous season, he is ready to make his Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The Bengal pacer said that he will retire the day he gets tired and bored.
“When I get tired, I will call it a day. But I am not even thinking of retirement right now because such thoughts pull you down. If this thought crosses your mind, it means you’re already tired. And if you’re tired, it means you’re bored. And I have said this earlier, too. I’ll leave cricket the day I wake up and decide to get bored. So yeah, the day I feel lazy or get bored, I’ll leave. But neither am I bored nor am I lazy. I am enjoying. Results are good and positive,” Shami said on The Shubhankar Mishra Show.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) traded Shami to LSG before the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The Bengal pacer vowed to give his 100 per cent to the LSG franchise where he will lead the pace attack.
“As a bowler, I will give my 100 per cent. I’ll perform my responsibilities and try to meet the expectations set for me. Rest, I can’t change my luck. All I can contribute is with my attitude and determination. If Lucknow has trusted me, I will give my all. Still, whenever you’re playing, the main element is satisfaction. Will I get the returns based on all the preparations that I have gone through? I did not focus on how much domestic I’ve played, but on the fact that my rhythm is alright. If that’s the point, I start thinking about the future,” the pacer said.
Shami’s last 3 years at IPL
It is to be noted that he was Gujarat Titans' (GT) purple cap winner in IPL 2023 where they lost the final to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). After missing IPL 2024 due to an injury, GT released him before mega auction. At SRH, he did not have a good season, claiming six wickets from nine games and conceding runs at over 11 runs per over.
On April 1, Shami will make his LSG debut against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Ekana Cricket Stadium.