"He will bowl with a rocket attached to his back" - Irfan Pathan backs Indian seamer to have a stunning IPL 2026 campaign

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels that Mohammad Shami will be coming into the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) with some 'vengeance' courtesy of his recent series of omissions. The veteran seamer is being linked with a move away from the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the retention deadline on Saturday, November 15.

SRH had roped in Shami for a massive price tag of INR 10 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, the pacer's stint with the new franchise was largely forgettable as he ended with only six wickets in nine matches at an average of 56.17 and an economy of 11.20.

Since the IPL campaign, he has struggled with game time as he was snubbed by the Indian selectors for the 2025-26 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. While he is back in action for Bengal in the domestic circuit, and performing well, he is still not on the Test cricket radar.

Irfan Pathan believes that SRH or any other franchise can tap into Shami's hunger as he will be on the lookout to make a major statement.

"I think wherever Shami goes this season, he will be solid, and will bowl with a rocket attached to his back. He will have a point to prove. So, to release such a player, then use that purse to bring in another bowler, they should think about that. In my opinion, there is no harm in backing him for 1-2 years, especially since he his a player who has a lot to prove. I think he will come with a lot of vengeance," Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

Irfan Pathan also suggested that GT look for a better overseas bowler after Gerald Coetzee's poor displays in IPL 2025.

"GT lost to MI in the Eliminator by 20 runs, and Coetzee had conceded 21 runs in one over. So GT will be thinking whether they can get a better bowler that can bowl well in the death?" Pathan enquired.

Coetzee had stepped in for his South African teammate for the knockout contest in Mullanpur, but ended up being the most expensive bowler on show with figures of 0-51 off three overs. He featured in four matches in IPL 2025, picking only two wickets at an average of 65.50, and an economy rate of 10.92.

"They like Australian players" - Irfan Pathan backs Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell to be retained by PBKS ahead of IPL 2026 retention deadline

Irfan Pathan stated that PBKS do not have to tweak too much as they have a settled unit that made it to the finals last season. However, he did the raise the subject of their Australian pair of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, who cost a combined INR 15.20 crore.

"Both Stoinis and Maxwell have not justified their price tags. But they have an Australian coach, and they like Australian players. I think PBKS need an Indian fast bowler and a back up spinner for Chahal," Irfan Pathan concluded.

PBKS had a successful campaign after their major revamp during the mega auction, finding immediate success with the proven coach-captain combination of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer.