Mohammed Shami’s future in Indian cricket is currently uncertain. Mohammed Shami, once the attacking force for India across formats, has been left out of every major series this year, including the Test series in England, the ODI tour of Australia, the home Test series against the West Indies and now the ongoing Test series against South Africa.
At the age of 35, Shami might have played his last match for India. Amidst the ongoing speculation over Shami’s India and IPL future, former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn revealed that he had pushed hard to bring Shami into the team during his stint as the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, but his requests were ignored.
Despite brilliant performance in domestic cricket, Mohammed Shami’s future is in doubt.
Shami eventually joined Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 after Steyn’s departure, but now SRH have also almost confirmed the release of the Indian bowler ahead of the 2026 auction. Despite struggling with form and fitness recently, Shami has made a brilliant comeback in domestic cricket.
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He has had a stellar performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26, taking 15 wickets in just three matches and proving that he still has the pace and skill. But injuries, age and fitness concerns have taken their toll, making franchises wary of relying on him in the IPL.
Dale Steyn reveals he once begged SRH to sign Mohammed Shami
Shami was bought by SRH for a hefty price of ₹10 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction but had a disappointing last season, taking only six wickets in nine matches. Reports have claimed that Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) traded Shami to SRH ahead of the IPL 2026 auction despite concerns over his fitness and form.
JioHotstar quoted Dale Steyn as saying, “When I was the bowling coach of SRH, I said, ‘Please, can we somehow get Mohammed Shami?'” And the moment I was no longer the coach, they took him. I would be disappointed if they lost him. I think when it comes to IPL, fitness and form play an important role, especially for bowlers. You want the bowlers to be fit; You want them to shoot.”
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Dale Steyn warns Mohammed Shami
But Steyn made it clear that the fit and dynamic Shami can still succeed in any team, but struggles or injury-plagued spells could sideline him. “And if Shami is fit and active, he will make it to any team. But if he is struggling – he has had a few months off – then some teams will say there are other players we would like to bring into the team,” the Proteas great told PTI.
Stan signed off by saying, “You were good a year and a half ago, but not now. So that could lead to a release. But yes, three years ago, when I was there, I was begging for that.”
Earlier, India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill described Shami as a rare fast bowler but refrained from commenting on his future with the national team. Gill said that only the selectors will be able to tell whether Shami is part of India’s plans in future or not.
