NEW DELHI: India’s veteran bowler Mohammed Shami is gearing up for IPL 2026 with strong determination, using the tournament as a chance to get back into India’s national team.
Despite being 35 and currently out of selection, the fast bowler has regained fitness and is working hard in training, focusing on sharpening his bowling, especially his deadly yorkers.
In a recent training session with Lucknow Super Giants, Shami caught everyone’s attention with his precise yorkers. The franchise shared a video where bowling coach Bharat Arun closely observed him in action.
Head coach Justin Langer was clearly impressed, saying, “Your yorker… that yorker.. is breathtaking.”
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Langer also highlighted Shami’s importance beyond just performance, especially for younger players in the squad.
“During the team lunch, Mohammed Shami was speaking and all the boys were hanging on his every word, their eyes never left him,” he said.
Calling him “incredibly experienced” and “a true warrior,” Langer added, “We often discuss big brother-little brother or master-apprentice dynamics in coaching, and that’s exactly what we have here.”
With selectors still overlooking him for the national side despite the veteran pacer performing well in domestic circuit, IPL 2026 could be Shami’s best shot at making a comeback.
His experience and leadership could play a key role for Lucknow Super Giants, a team still chasing its first IPL final appearance despite reaching the playoffs in its early seasons.
The tournament begins on March 28, with LSG starting their campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1, giving Shami a big stage to prove himself once again.
