For the last 7-8 months, a question has been continuously arising in Indian cricket - why is Mohammed Shami not returning to Team India? There has been a lot of controversy regarding this. Even Shami and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar have targeted each other through the media. Nevertheless, Shami proved himself by consistently performing well in domestic cricket.

Now he is showing the same wonders in IPL also. Star fast bowler Shami, who entered the field as a part of Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2026 season, destroyed 3 brilliant batsmen in just 8 balls in two matches.

Was a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad last season Mohammed Shami He was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for the new season and their decision seems to be proving correct. Lucknow, captained by Rishabh Pant, may have faced defeat in its first match of IPL 2026, but Shami impressed a lot with his bowling.

In the first match of the season against Delhi Capitals, Shami started the bowling and dismissed star opener KL Rahul on the very first ball.

Abhishek could not open account

But Shami not only made Rahul his victim but in the second match too he wreaked havoc in the first over itself. In the match against his previous team Sunrisers Hyderabad, Shami also sent explosive opener Abhishek Sharma back to the pavilion without opening his account in the first over. Abhishek could face only 2 balls. Shami has dismissed Abhishek for the second time in 6 innings while the star batsman has scored only 20 runs in 26 balls against Shami.

Travis Head killed in first collision

His partner Travis Head also could not last long. Shami also dismissed Head on the very first ball of his second over. This was the first encounter between Head and Shami in T20 cricket and Shami reduced him to just 1 run in just 5 balls. In this way, Shami gave a befitting reply to the critics, who have been continuously raising questions on him, by sending back three explosive batsmen like Rahul, Abhishek and Travis Head in just 8 balls in two different matches.

Travis Head killed in first collision

His partner Travis Head also could not last long. Shami also dismissed Head on the very first ball of his second over. This was the first encounter between Head and Shami in T20 cricket and Shami reduced him to just 1 run in just 5 balls. In this way, Shami gave a befitting reply to the critics, who have been continuously raising questions on him, by sending back three explosive batsmen like Rahul, Abhishek and Travis Head in just 8 balls in two different matches.