Lucknow buys Shami, KKR hires veteran pacer as coach for 2026 season.

  • November 14, 2025

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) orchestrated a noteworthy maneuver during the IPL 2026 trading phase by formally obtaining seasoned Indian speedster Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on November 14, 2025. Shami, celebrated for his threatening seam delivery, pinpoint control, and propensity to make early breakthroughs with the fresh ball, is set to join the LSG roster to reinforce their bowling strength leading up to the vital auction next month. The fast bowler is now slated to collaborate with captain Rishabh Pant at LSG, contributing top-tier expertise and potency to their pace resources.

SRH trade Mohammed Shami to LSG ahead of the IPL 2026 auction

LSG verified the transaction through a puzzling message on social media showcasing a well-known image of Shami bowling to England’s Ben Stokes during the India-England contest at Ekana Stadium, emphasizing the instant without specifically mentioning Shami. The arrangement apparently entailed LSG compensating SRH INR 10 crore, equivalent to Shami’s prior auction valuation, as the Sunrisers opted to part ways with the bowler subsequent to a subpar season affected by injuries and erratic displays. Shami participated in nine fixtures for SRH in IPL 2025 but managed to secure only six dismissals at an economy rate surpassing 11, which did not meet the anticipated standards.

In spite of recent challenges, Shami’s comprehensive IPL career tally of 133 wickets in 119 games, encompassing impactful stints for Gujarat Titans, establishes him as a beneficial addition for LSG, who are aiming to fortify their pace resources in the aftermath of a disappointing previous season. The incorporation of a domestically-bred player such as Shami also aligns with LSG’s calculated strategy to construct a formidable and well-rounded team for IPL 2026.​

Kolkata Knight Riders appoints champion pacer as the new bowling coach

In related coaching updates, IPL 2026 marks the engagement of New Zealand pace-bowling icon Tim Southee as the bowling coach for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Southee, having concluded his international playing days in 2024, enjoyed a distinguished IPL playing career and previously donned the KKR jersey. His move into coaching includes recent roles with the England national squad, where he functioned as a bowling consultant. KKR’s CEO Venky Mysore extended a warm welcome back, underscoring Southee’s wealth of experience, tactical understanding, and composed leadership attributes, which will prove invaluable in guiding KKR’s bowling unit in the forthcoming season.

Southee is integrated into a restructured KKR coaching setup headed by head coach Abhishek Nayar and succeeds Bharat Arun, who has switched to LSG as part of their coaching modifications. The New Zealand speedster’s familiarity with the IPL setting and his coaching capabilities are projected to motivate the emerging bowlers at KKR, striving to steer the franchise towards a stellar showing in IPL 2026. The franchise also recruited Shane Watson as an assistant coach while retaining Dwayne Bravo as mentor, signifying a thorough plan centered on bowling excellence spotlighted by Southee’s selection.​

This IPL 2026 pre-auction duration continues to observe noteworthy player and coaching swaps as franchises like LSG and KKR gear up for a competitive season in Abu Dhabi, fine-tuning their teams and support personnel for victory.

 

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