'Play for any team...'- Mohammed Shami sparks speculation on leaving SRH ahead of IPL 2026

The star fast bowler of the Indian side, Mohammed Shami, went through a poor 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), as he kept struggling with several injuries under the leadership of Pat Cummins. Getting roped in for INR 10 crore in the mega auction, Shami featured in nine games to pick up six wickets at an average of 56.16.

Shami is uncertain about his future for the IPL in the Orange Army as the franchise could look to refuse the bowling services of the veteran, who has not been picked since the end of the Asia Cup for the national side during the Test series in England, and was omitted from the 15-member squad of the Asia Cup 2025.

See Also: 'Red cares...'- RCB releases official statement after 84 days of silence from IPL 2025 stampede case

“I’m ready to play for any team that raises the paddle for me (at the auction). There is nothing in my hands. It is IPL, the festival of cricket, and it is entertainment for people. Whoever lifts the paddle for you, go along with them.” The Bengal pacer expressed on News24.

Mohammed Shami drops bombshell on IPL 2026 future for SRH

The best season for the pacer in IPL history came in 2023 when Shami, playing for the Gujarat Titans, picked up 28 wickets in 17 innings at an average of under 19 and an average of 18.3 with an economy rate of eight. He now has a total of 133 scalps in 119 IPL innings at 28.18 with an economy rate of under nine.

In his entire IPL career, Shami has represented five IPL franchises. In IPL 2013, he debuted for the Kolkata Knight Riders before featuring for Delhi Capitals till 2018, where he wasn’t a regular in the side. He featured in three seasons for Punjab and bagged 58 wickets in 42 games for the side.

In the upcoming edition of the event, a few franchises will look for a veteran Indian pacer, and Mohammed Shami could be among the top five choices of those franchises. Lucknow Super Giants may get a huge sum of money with them having no update on their young sensational Mayank Yadav, as they are likely to release Akash Deep, who they roped in for INR 8 crore.