IPL 2026: ‘He has that natural skill’ - Irfan Pathan backs Mohammed Shami to regain rhythm at Ekana Stadium

Published - 01 Apr 2026, 18:22 IST | Updated - 01 Apr 2026, 18:31 IST

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes that conditions in Hyderabad did not suit Mohammed Shami, who endured a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad. He managed just six wickets in nine games at an average of 56.16 and an economy rate of 11.23.

Shami will be in action today against Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in their Indian Premier League 2026 season opener. The pacer, who was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 10 crore, is expected to benefit from the conditions in Lucknow. Pathan noted that the surface there could offer more assistance to the right-arm fast bowler, potentially helping him rediscover his rhythm.

“I would expect Shami to regain his old rhythm and intensity. He has that natural skill with the new ball, so he will deliver. If there is even a little help from the pitch, he can make an impact with the new ball. He was transferred from Sunrisers Hyderabad with the expectation that he would do exactly that. The Hyderabad pitch did not suit him much as it did not offer a lot of seam movement. Here, conditions could be different, especially at Ekana Cricket Stadium, where the ground is bigger and the pitch might offer more assistance,” said Pathan on his YouTube channel.

Shami responds to experts not backing LSG at IPL 2026

Pathan asserted that LSG skipper Rishabh Pant should not bat below No.3 and added that if he fails to score runs this season, the franchise could face problems. Pant has scored 3553 runs in 125 matches at an average of 34.16 and a strike rate of 147.61, including 19 fifties and two centuries.

“At what number does Rishabh Pant bat? I feel he should bat at No. 3 and not below that. He has worked with Yuvraj Singh, so it will be interesting to see how much that helps him, especially in his off-side game. Last year, he scored around 250 runs, which was not a very good season. He was under a lot of pressure, although he did score a hundred in the last match. The captain will have to help himself as a batter. If that does not happen, it could be a problem,” said Pathan.