IPL 2022: 3 Teams that might target Mohammed Shami in mega auction

Mohammed Shami has been one of the successful bowlers in IPL history having registered 79 scalps from 77 matches ever since he had the first burst in the scene at the marquee tournament in the 2011 edition. Heading into next week’s IPL 2022 mega auction, Shami has already represented three teams- the two-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (2011-2013), the now-defunct Delhi Daredevils from 2014 to 2018 before serving the Punjab Kings for three seasons between 2019 to 2021.

Just months ahead of the IPL 2022 auction, the 2014 finalists had decided to retain only two players from the previous season including explosive opener Mayank Agarwal and emerging left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. The franchise decided to part ways with the rest of the players including Shami which means that the Indian team’s senior fast bowler will need to go under the hammer during the two-day event in Bengaluru next week. Now, the Bengal pacer could either represent a fourth IPL team or could be brought back by Punjab itself. So, without further a do, let’s find out where the speedster could be heading in the upcoming season.

Three teams that could bring Mohammed Shami in IPL mega auction

1. Kolkata Knight Riders

The Kolkata Knight Riders announced their mandatory retentions well in advance before the IPL 2022 mega auction. The two-time winners have retained explosive opener, Venkatesh Iyer, Caribbean power-hitter Andre Russell, and the mystery spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy respectively.

Surprisingly, KKR have not retained any of their pacers. The team had some outstanding fast bowlers including the likes of Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins, Indian talents Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna, and New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson. With Russell being injury-prone, the former champions would be looking for a full-time fast bowling auction.

Therefore, when Shami’s name will be announced during the auction, Kolkata could welcome their ex-player with open arms and help in his second sting with the franchise.

2. Sunrisers Hyderabad

The 2016 winners were also clear on their retentions just months before the IPL 2022 mega auction and while Afghanistan leggie Rashid Khan was also in the scheme of things, he reportedly wanted to be the first choice retained player of the franchise and since that did not happen, he demanded to be released and the Sunrisers Hyderabad obliged.

The Orange Army decided to retain skipper Kane Williamson,  and the Jammu & Kashmir cricketing duo of batter Abdul Samad and pacer Umran Malik respectively. While Malik impressed one and all by clocking 150+ kmph consistently, he is still raw and would need the guidance of a seasoned performer and there would be no one better than Shami at the moment.

Thus, if given an opportunity, SRH would have no hesitation in outbidding the competitors and bringing the UP-based bowler on board to strengthen their pace attack that was earlier spearheaded by Shami’s Indian teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

3. Punjab Kings

Last but not least, the speedster could once again come back to the Punjab franchise for a fourth season. Shami’s best performance for PBKS had come in the 2020 season where he registered 20 scalps in 14 matches and was also the fifth-highest wicket-taker of IPL 2021 with 19 wickets in 14 games.

Punjab has retained just two players from the previous season including explosive opener Mayank Agarwal and promising left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. Thus, Shami could also be given another go considering the fact that he has been the team’s most consistent bowler in the last two editions.

Therefore, if given a choice, the 2014 finalists would definitely not mind roping in the Team India Test specialist to bolster their pace attack as their wait for a maiden IPL silverware continues.