Mumbai Indians can target Mohammed Shami, who will be among the best options available during the IPL 2025 auction.
When Gujarat Titans (GT) announced their retentions on the retention deadline, one major exclusion was the pace sensation Mohammed Shami. He was their best speedster in the previous cycle and played a vital role in making GT successful in the initial two seasons.
Despite not playing IPL 2024, Shami was their second-leading wicket-taker, with 48 wickets at a 21.04 average and a strike rate of 15.75 in 33 innings. He also had two four-wicket hauls and his expertise with the new ball stood out.
The only valid reason for releasing Mohammed Shami was his struggles with fitness as the 34-year-old has not played competitive cricket since the World Cup 2023. He has attempted multiple comebacks, but setbacks have hindered his progress.
When the retentions and releases were announced, there was uncertainty around his return, even though he has been working hard on regaining full fitness. Hence, GT had no option but to release him.
Further, they had better options that could be a long-term investment for the Titans, so they opted for stability over chaos. Shami has struggled with injuries in recent years, and his fitness will remain a concern from now since he is ageing, so GT made a wise move.
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Mumbai Indians (MI) have retained Jasprit Bumrah, but their biggest issue was that they couldn’t find an ideal partner for him. MI tried a few overseas players but didn’t fetch sustained success, while Indian pacers impressed in patches but failed to maintain consistency.
So, they can target Mohammed Shami, who will be among the best options available during the auction. His new-ball ability will be lethal in Wankhede Stadium, where speedsters get some early movement, and Shami specialises in it.
Further, MI often opt for experience in the pace department, as the inclusion of Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan in the previous cycle depicted. Shami is a proven performer and will perfectly complete MI’s pace department, making their attack the finest in the competition.
A lot of quality and experience. Shami can move the new ball both ways and had 28 wickets at 21.25 runs apiece and an economy rate of 7.08 in the previous cycle.
Further, he has gained ample control over his yorkers and short-pitched deliveries while also showing a few slower balls. So, he is an all-phase bowler who can take wickets anytime, and his improved version made him a solid white-ball bowler.
He has vast experience playing in the league; has featured for multiple teams previously and knows how to operate across conditions. Before the unfortunate injury, his white-ball game was in the best possible condition, and there’s no doubt about his quality.
Despite a layoff due to injury, Mohammed Shami is still a quality bowler with enough to offer. Several teams are without a proper pacer or only one option in their squad, and given how precious Indian pacers are, most of them will target the ace pacer during the auction.
If we look at the options in the player pool, not many possess qualities close to Shami. So, Shami’s value will surge automatically, and he will fetch a big sum in the IPL 2025 auction.
Indian pacers are arguably the most important members of an IPL XI, given they provide stability and do the heavy lifting in the bowling department. Hence, Shami will be a popular pick, especially after what he achieved with the Gujarat Titans and in the World Cup 2023.
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