Just before the November 15 deadline, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pulled off a last-minute move in the IPL trading market, securing Mohammed Shami to LSG from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an all-cash deal. It was one of those trades that makes fans raise an eyebrow: SRH agreed to let go of their veteran pacer, while LSG happily paid the same 10 crore INR they had shelled out for him in 2025. The paperwork was done just under the wire, and the cricket world was left wondering if this was a clever coup or a case of deja vu.

Shami’s Struggling Form

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the past season hasn’t been kind to Shami. He played only nine of SRH’s fourteen matches and claimed just six wickets, averaging over 56 runs per dismissal with an economy of 11.23. His home games in Hyderabad weren’t any better; in one match against Punjab Kings, he went wicketless for 75 runs—the second-most expensive spell in IPL history.

No Mohammed Shami for South Africa Tests! 🤯

He’s played all three Ranji Trophy games for Bengal this season, picking 15 wickets at 15.53, SR 37.2#Shami #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/rO8gYyCJ1J

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) November 5, 2025

Off the pitch, it wasn’t looking rosy either. He hadn’t been called up for India’s Test tours, including the West Indies and South Africa series, and missed selection for the five-Test England tour. Rumours of a move had been circulating well before the November 15 deadline, so it was no surprise when SRH released Mohammed Shami. By letting go of the 35-year-old pacer, SRH admitted that his IPL 2025 form simply hadn’t justified the investment.

What Shami Brings to LSG?

So what does this mean for LSG? Well, adding Mohammed Shami to LSG theoretically strengthens their pace attack, especially with key Indian bowlers like Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, and Mohsin Khan all battling injuries. Shami reunites with Bharat Arun, who was instrumental in developing India’s formidable bowling unit over the last decade. In that sense, LSG has added experience and a known quantity to a squad that struggled with consistency last season. Still, some fans wonder if LSG trade player moves like this are about shoring up bowling depth or just grabbing a big name for headlines.

A Risky Move for LSG?

Despite the upside, many analysts are scratching their heads over this trade. First, the numbers speak for themselves: Shami’s IPL 2025 campaign was disastrous.

Mohammed Shami’s Bowling Stats (IPL 2025)

Second, at 35 years old, he’s hardly a long-term investment—especially for a team shelling out 10 crores INR. LSG has a history of picking injury-prone bowlers, and adding Shami to a group that already includes Yadav and Avesh raises red flags. Critics argue that LSG trade player decisions like this tend to backfire, leaving the franchise overpaying for a player whose best years may be behind him. Essentially, you’re gambling on a high-profile pacer returning to form rather than picking a younger, fitter option with a higher ceiling. It’s easy to see why some pundits question whether LSG trade player strategies like this are actually smart cricketing moves.

Your returning Super Giants 🩵 pic.twitter.com/uAGmG14kjj

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) November 15, 2025

Heading into IPL 2026, LSG is trying to strike a balance. They’ve retained their core of 17 players, including captain Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran, and Mitchell Marsh, while releasing a few underperformers like David Miller and Ravi Bishnoi. The 2025 season wasn’t kind—the team stumbled, and Pant’s captaincy, while promising, didn’t always hit the mark. Still, they’re keeping faith with him.

Lala: 𝙒𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙚 𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙠𝙖 𝙨𝙬𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙩 \|/ ✌️ pic.twitter.com/fgt0qJIycQ

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) November 15, 2025

With Mohammed Shami to LSG now in the mix, plus the addition of Arjun Tendulkar, LSG are hoping that experience and firepower can help them finally make a serious title push. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but SRH released Mohammed Shami has opened the door for a possible turnaround in the Lucknow lineup.

Final Thoughts

Mohammed Shami to LSG is a headline-grabbing trade, absolutely. There’s talent, there’s experience, and there’s plenty of hope that he can turn things around. Yet, for a team paying a hefty sum for someone coming off a rough patch, it’s fair to wonder if LSG really made the smartest move in the market.