Mohammed Shami said performances can fluctuate because he is “not a machine” but credit domestic cricket and peak fitness for keeping him match-ready after his decisive spell helped Lucknow Super Giants seal a crucial win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.
Shami returned with excellent figures of 2 for 9including 18-point balls, the removal of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma early to leave Hyderabad struggling with a surface offering grip and little pace. It was a spell built on control and a clear reading of the conditions, with Shami relying on subtle variations and changes of pace rather than outright speed.
Despite the impact of his performance, Shami was measured in his assessment of his own form, particularly in relation to a difficult IPL 2025 season with Hyderabad, where he managed just six wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 11.23 after returning from injury.
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“I am not a machine. My season can go up and down,” Shami said. “I’ve done well in the last few years. Maybe people didn’t notice, that’s different. But I always try to do well.”
The 35-year-old pointed to domestic cricket as a key factor in helping him regain his rhythm and sharpness. Rather than restricting himself to marquee tournaments, Shami said he made a conscious effort to stay connected to the game and maintain match fitness.
“If you want to play, it’s important to be in touch with the game. If you’re fit, only then you can work on your skills. That’s why I stayed in touch with the game and played all the home games,” he said.
This preparation was evident in the way he approached his opening spell in Hyderabad. With the new ball, Shami focused on discipline, holding a firm line and denying width to two of the most aggressive batsmen in the competition.
“The pitch was slow, a bit sticky. But with the new ball your line and length is very important,” he said. “Because we clearly knew that if we give them width or if we put them in the zone, they will hit both batsmen hard.
“So it was very important to shut off the pace. And it was very important that they get as little altitude as possible.”
Shami said the decision to rely on slower deliveries was not accidental but part of a broader understanding of conditions that have evolved over time. Having played at the venue earlier during his time at Hyderabad, he said he had observed how effective changes of pace could be.
“You have to adapt. I was here last year and I used a lot of slower ones. The opponents use it a lot, I thought why not us too,” he said.
He also emphasized the role of familiarity in the Lucknow environment that helped him settle in quickly. Shami worked closely with bowling coach Bharat Arun during his time with the Indian team and said the long-term relationship made the transition smoother.
“As for Bharat bhai, we have worked together for a long time in the Indian team. We have a good bond and we understand each other well. So it is very important that the players and staff get along well,” he said.
“And as far as Lucknow is concerned, it is my second home.
The win itself carried added significance for Lucknow, who were looking to bounce back after a setback in the previous match. Shami said the result was important to restore momentum in a heavily contested tournament.
“I’m happy. We lost our last game. Winning this game was the key to building momentum,” he said.
Beyond the immediate impact, Shami went back to the fundamentals that stood his career, stressing the importance of skill and experience at the highest level.
“Nothing happens without skill and experience,” he said.
He also spoke in detail about his own approach to the game, particularly his focus on maximizing his strengths with the new ball while constantly adapting to different match situations.
“Look, whether it’s the IPL or any good platform, you definitely need to work on the skills. So now it depends on how hard you work on the new ball and the old ball,” he said.
“I’ve always had the power of the new ball. So I’m always thinking about how much benefit I can bring to my team with the new ball or how much good I can do for the team.”
Shami added that execution is often about reading the moment and creating pressure through consistency.
“It depends on the day. If you’re having a good day and the bowling is going well, then you build pressure. If three balls go well, then you try to bowl the fourth quickly if the wicket comes. That’s part of the planning,” he said.
“But it takes a lot of hard work.
For Shami, the process remains rooted in preparation and faith. Results, he suggested, are shaped by effort as well as circumstance.
“I do my job and try to leave the rest to Allah,” he said. “Whether it’s the IPL or any platform, you have to work on your skills. The rest depends on the day.”
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
05 Apr 2026 23:23 IST
