Mohammed Shami will bowl with a rocket attached to his back in IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder and commentator Irfan Pathan has stated that the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) franchise should back their star pacer Mohammed Shami for one or two years.

Notably, Shami was roped in by the SRH franchise at the IPL 2025 mega auction for a whopping price of INR 10 Crore. However, he could scalp only six wickets in nine games as he got benched later in the season.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan asserted that Shami will come back stronger in the IPL 2026 season as he will bowl with a rocket attached to his back after being excluded from the national team.

"I think wherever Shami goes this season, he will be solid and will bowl with a rocket attached to his back. He will have a point to prove. So, to release such a player, then use that purse to bring in another bowler, they should think about that,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.

In my opinion, there is no harm in backing him for 1-2 years, especially since he his a player who has a lot to prove. I think he will come with a lot of vengeance," he added.

Furthermore, Pathan also talked about the possible releases from the Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings franchises. The former all-rounder felt that the runners-up might require an Indian pacer and a back-up spinner for Chahal.

"GT lost to MI in the Eliminator by 20 runs, and Coetzee had conceded 21 runs in one over. So GT will be thinking whether they can get a better bowler that can bowl well in the death?" Pathan stated.

"Both Stoinis and Maxwell have not justified their price tags. But they have an Australian coach, and they like Australian players. I think PBKS need an Indian fast bowler and a back up spinner for Chahal," he concluded.

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