Former India opener Aakash Chopra has voiced his concern over the lack of recognition for Mohammed Shami despite the pacer’s consistent performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 for his new team Lucknow Super Giants.
Shami, who has been out of contention for the national setup for the last few years, has delivered impactful spells this season, playing a crucial role with the ball. However, Chopra believes that the experienced seamer hasn’t received the appreciation he deserves for his efforts.
“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,” he said on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’.
The cricketer-turned-commentator further highlighted how Shami has quietly gone about his job, consistently picking wickets and maintaining control in the toughest T20 league in the world, despite his absence from the international circuit.
“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 continued.
With the tournament progressing, Shami’s form could play a decisive role for his franchise, and as Chopra pointed out, it might be time the veteran finally gets the recognition he has long deserved.
“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,” Chopra concluded.
For the unversed, Shami has been phenomenal for LSG in IPL 2026. In their first two matches, he has picked up three wickets, including a stunning spell of 2/9 in 4 overs against SRH.
