Lucknow Super Giants bowler Mohammed Shami deserves more praise for how he’s performed this IPL season, says former player Aakash Chopra. Though overlooked by India, Shami took three wickets across just two games. His 2/9 effort versus Sunrisers Hyderabad stands out – Chopra believes it ranks among the top bowling acts so far. Despite such impact, recognition still lags behind what his numbers suggest. For now, one of the quiet achievers continues without fanfare.
“Are we giving Mohammad Shami enough credit, and when will we actually give him credit? It’s a big question. Why are we not celebrating him? I am the same person who was saying that the selectors have to choose, and if they are not selecting, they might have seen him, his fitness, and whatever,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
After watching how things went in the match versus SRH, Chopra pointed out Shami’s tight bowling on a hot day.
“I had also said that everyone has to stand up and take notice if he does it in the IPL. Then you cannot say that the opposing team’s standard wasn’t that good. This is the most competitive league in the world. In such a scenario, he bowled four overs for just nine runs and two wickets, including 18 dot balls, in an afternoon game against the SunRisers Hyderabad,” he added.
Out there, Shami delivered something special – 18 dots packed tight, plus the big early scalps of Head and Abhishek. With sun blazing high, grip vanished for quick bowlers, yet his line held firm. Those numbers, 2 for 9, stood out sharper because of it.
“He dismissed Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. You have got to celebrate because these are once-in-an-IPL analysis. Where will you get such analysis again? I know Jacob Duffy bowled very well in the first match, but this was an afternoon game. There is no help at all for fast bowlers in an afternoon game, and there was no help for him as well,” noted Chopra.
