Out of international cricket despite full fitness, Shami delivers statement performance

Star pacer Mohammed Shami underlined his readiness and rhythm after a prolonged absence from international cricket with a match-defining spell that guided Lucknow Super Giants to a thrilling last-over win against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Returning to competitive cricket with renewed fitness and sharpness, the veteran pacer made an immediate impact after LSG opted to field in Hyderabad on Sunday. Shami struck early to remove the dangerous opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, finishing with outstanding figures of 2/9 and setting the tone for the innings.

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Though Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy mounted a strong counterattack with a 116-run partnership, helping SRH recover to 156/9, Shami’s early spell ensured LSG remained in control for most of the contest.

Reflecting on his performance, Shami emphasised his commitment to the team and how such spells reinforce confidence, especially after time away from the highest level.

“I have always tried to give my absolute best for the team. Whatever best can be done, you should do it. Contributing as much as possible for the team is always great, but when performances like this come, it’s good for me as well, it boosts confidence and helps in better execution. It also gives you more confidence going into the next matches,” Shami said in a video shared by IPL.

His spell was a fine example of adaptability as he used variations in pace and understanding of the surface to outthink the opposition batters.

“The biggest factor here is the pitch. It depends on how much you use the surface, how effectively you use slower deliveries. Batsmen like Abhishek and Travis Head are familiar with pace, and everyone knows how well you can mix things up here, where you can make them play, where they can get elevation, and where they won’t. Keeping all these factors in mind, we planned accordingly, and it worked successfully.”

With the ball doing its job early, LSG’s chase was anchored by skipper Rishabh Pant and Aiden Markram, who ensured the team got over the line in a tense finish. “The match kept going up and down because whenever we came level, when runs matched the balls, there would be a dot-ball over. The game fluctuated a couple of times, but that’s cricket. In T20 format, if you don’t score at a rate of 6–7 per over, you will face difficulties. But Rishabh did a very good job because if he had gotten out there, the team could have been in serious trouble. It was very important for him to stay at the crease.”

Shami also pointed to the importance of sharp fielding in tight contests, noting how crucial moments can swing results.

“As they say, if you take your catches, you win matches; otherwise, it becomes difficult because you are giving a batsman two lives. So it is very important to take every catch, no matter where it goes or what the fielding position is. Even if you convert 50-50 chances or difficult catches, it gives your team a big advantage,” he said.

Having worked his way back through domestic cricket, Shami highlighted how staying active during his time away from international fixtures helped him maintain rhythm and match fitness.

“When you are not playing international cricket, it becomes very important to keep playing. The best example of this is domestic cricket. If you play domestic cricket, your touch, your feel, and your rhythm stay intact. When you play longer formats like four-day games and then move to T20s and one-day domestic matches, you get time to spend at the crease. The more time you spend on the field, the better it is for you as a cricketer. So, if you are not playing international cricket, it is very important to fully participate in domestic cricket, it benefits you a lot,” he concluded.