Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is facing mounting scrutiny over his form in the ongoing IPL 2025, with former cricketers like Aakash Chopra and Danny Morrison expressing serious concerns about his fitness, rhythm, and prospects for India’s crucial upcoming Test tour of England.
Earlier this month, Shami nearly matched an unwanted IPL record when he conceded 75 runs in his four overs against Punjab Kings (PBKS)—just one short of Jofra Archer’s record of 76 runs conceded, the most expensive spell in IPL history. While high-scoring T20 matches are not unusual, what’s worrying is Shami’s consistently below-par performance across the tournament.
On Friday night, during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) match against Gujarat Titans (GT), Shami’s struggles were once again evident. He bowled just three overs, conceding 48 runs without taking a wicket, further denting his already grim season stats. With only six wickets from nine matches, an average of 56.17, and a staggering economy rate of 11.23, Shami has clearly looked off-colour—far from the fiery pacer who won the Purple Cap in IPL 2023 with 28 wickets.
Comeback After Surgery and Lingering Concerns
The root of Shami’s decline could trace back to the ankle surgery he underwent in March 2024, which had kept him out of IPL 2024 entirely. Though he returned to competitive cricket late last year, playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, and was involved in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, his body language and performance since returning have raised red flags.
“He’s not looking good,” said Aakash Chopra during a panel discussion on ESPNcricinfo. “It’s not like he came back last week or last month. He’s been playing domestic and international cricket for months. If he’s still struggling, then there’s a serious question mark regarding what comes next.”
Chopra further pointed out that while SRH’s overall struggles this season are part of the story, the bigger concern is India’s tour of England, where Shami was expected to be a critical component of the pace attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
“All of us were talking about how the Border-Gavaskar Trophy would’ve been different if Shami was there with Bumrah. But now the question is—will Shami even be in England? And if he is, what version of him will show up?”
Danny Morrison Offers Perspective
While Chopra was blunt in his assessment, former New Zealand pacer Danny Morrison offered a more empathetic take. He highlighted the psychological and physical toll of returning from a major injury—especially at Shami’s age (he turns 35 in September 2025).
“You’ve had a big surgery like that—it’s not just physical. Psychologically, it weighs you down,” Morrison said. “He’s not 29 anymore. Maybe he’s not fully committing to his action, and the pace has dropped. Sometimes, as bowlers, we’re just placing the ball instead of attacking with full intensity.”
From Champions Trophy High to IPL Slump
Interestingly, Shami had a standout performance earlier this year during the Champions Trophy, where he was India’s highest wicket-taker with nine wickets, including a match-winning 5 for 53 against Bangladesh. However, there were signs of inconsistency even then. In a match against Pakistan, he bowled five wides in his opening over, and similar issues plagued him during Friday’s IPL match, where he bowled loose deliveries that were dispatched with ease by Shubman Gill and B Sai Sudharsan.
Shami’s strength has always been accuracy and seam movement, but as Chopra noted, that control seems to be missing.
“His main weapon has always been hitting the right length consistently. But now, the pace is down, and he’s not landing enough balls in the same area. That’s worrying.”
Four Matches to Prove a Point
With SRH on the brink of elimination—though not mathematically out—they have four matches left in the league. These matches could be crucial for Shami not just in terms of team fortunes, but also for his personal comeback narrative.
While IPL form isn’t the sole criterion for Test selection, Shami hasn’t played a Test match since June 2023, and doubts are growing about whether he can regain the sharpness that once made him one of India’s premier pacers.
As Morrison summed it up:
“He may just be guilty of not going through the crease with full commitment. That happens when age, injury, and form start weighing you down.”
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Mohammed Shami. The question isn’t just whether he can rediscover form—it’s whether he can still be India’s go-to bowler when it matters most.
