"They have taken a massive risk" - Former India selector on LSG's acquisition of Mohammad Shami ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former India selector Saba Karim has opined that the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have taken a massive risk by trading in Mohammad Shami ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. He highlighted that the Bengal seamer isn't part of the Indian T20I setup and had underperformed in IPL 2025.

LSG traded in Shami for ₹10 crore from the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The right-arm seamer picked up only six wickets at an economy rate of 11.23 in nine innings in IPL 2025.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Saba reckoned that while Shami's move to LSG is a massive opportunity for the seamer, it's a huge risk for the franchise.

"This is a massive leap of faith for LSG to look at Shami to strengthen their pace bowling lineup because, at this moment, he is not even part of the Indian team in T20 cricket. His performance wasn't anything special last year. They have done a huge trade," the former India wicketkeeper-batter said.

"They have put their entire investment to an extent on Shami. They also need to remember that Mayank Yadav is still not fully fit. No one knows anything about Mohsin Khan, whether he will be fit or not. I feel it's a massive opportunity for Shami, but for LSG, as a franchise, they have taken a massive risk," he added.

However, Saba Karim noted that Mohammad Shami is slightly hurt at the moment, considering how he is being treated by the Indian selectors. The analyst acknowledged that the veteran pacer might give inspired performances in IPL 2026 because of the way he is being handled.

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"Mohammad Shami has gone to the right place" - Cheteshwar Pujara on seamer's move to LSG ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Mohammad Shami has worked a lot under Bharat Arun as India's bowling coach. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara opined that Mohammad Shami has moved to the right franchise, with Bharat Arun being its bowling coach.

"When he was playing for SRH, the wicket was such that any bowler would think how he would bowl four overs on that pitch. So Mohammad Shami has gone to the right place. He has worked very closely with Bharat Arun," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the familiar coach's guidance could help Shami hunt like a lion.

"Shami is extremely emotional. As Saba bhai said, he is affected a lot by whatever is happening with him. He needs guidance that can awaken him again. He is a bowler who needs to be woken up many times. Nothing is lacking in talent and potential. He is a lion-like bowler. Once you wake him up, he can hunt a lot," Pujara observed.

Mohammad Shami has picked up 133 wickets at an economy rate of 8.63 in 119 IPL games. The 35-year-old hasn't played for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy and will hope to return to national reckoning with impressive performances in IPL 2026.