The winds of change are blowing in the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) camp. After a disappointing IPL 2025 season, the franchise has begun restructuring, starting with a major change in its coaching staff. On Monday, SRH announced the appointment of former India pacer Varun Aaron as their new bowling coach, replacing James Franklin ahead of IPL 2026.
Varun Aaron in, Mohammed Shami out?
But Aaron’s arrival has already sparked fresh speculation. A resurfaced video from IPL 2025, where Aaron appeared as an expert on ESPNcricinfo, shows him predicting Mohammed Shami’s potential release from SRH. “I’d say Mohammad Shami [would be released], because he is obviously towards the back end of his career, struggling with his fitness and maybe Ishan Kishan, they got him at a big price, send them back into auction and try to get them for cheaper prices,” Aaron said at the time.
While at the time of speaking, Varun Aaron was solely an expert and wasn’t part of the SRH camp. It was his personal assessment, saying Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan could be bought back at cheaper prices. However, his point of view is bound to change. There’s a difference between being an expert, speaking from outside, and being a coach of a team who usually backs his resources. And with Shami being a natural leader of a bowling pack, Aaron might just rejig his thinking and back Shami unanimously as part of the SRH thinking group.
Time running out for Shami?
Mohammed Shami’s return to the IPL in 2025 was anything but smooth. Picked up for INR 10 crore in the auction, expectations were sky-high after his stellar showing in the Champions Trophy. But the veteran pacer struggled to find form and rhythm, managing just 6 wickets in 9 games at a disastrous economy rate of 11.23.
His most forgettable outing came against Punjab Kings, where he conceded 75 runs in 4 overs, the second-worst bowling performance in IPL history. Eventually, SRH turned to Sri Lanka’s Ehsan Malinga, who repaid the faith with 13 wickets in 7 matches, giving the bowling attack much-needed direction.
Considering how poorly Shami fared at the IPL 2025, his stocks are bound to suffer. However, one can’t really predict what happens in a mini auction. The demands tend to be high, but the supplies are low. Hence, any player’s value can get amped up. Hence, just to make sure and show faith in Shami’s abilities, SRH might just retain him for IPL 2026. A lot, of course, depends on India’s white-ball tours as well, including the Asia Cup, where Shami is likely to be selected.
Mohammed Shami IPL 2025 stats
- Wickets: 6
- Innings: 9
- Economy: 11.23
- Strike Rate: 30.00
- Bowling Average: 56.17
Editor's Pick
Cricket
How Virat Kohli's 100 in Ranchi resulted in tickets for IND vs SA 3rd ODI getting sold out instantly
Top Stories
