Key Points

Daniel Vettori has backed Mohammed Shami despite the pacer's underwhelming IPL season, insisting there are no fitness concerns. The SRH coach acknowledged Shami's frustration but praised his work ethic to regain form. Shami, who won the Purple Cap two seasons ago, has taken just six wickets in nine matches this year. SRH face a tough challenge against playoff-hopefuls Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad.

Key Points: SRH Coach Vettori Backs Struggling Shami Ahead of DC Clash

  • Vettori confirms no fitness issues for Shami despite poor IPL form
  • SRH coach recalls Shami's past Purple Cap-winning season
  • Shami struggling with 6 wickets in 9 matches at 56.16 average
  • DC look to secure playoffs spot against struggling SRH
3 min read

That's a source of frustration for himself...: SRH head coach Vettori on Shami's poor form

Daniel Vettori defends Mohammed Shami's form slump, saying the pacer is working hard to regain his rhythm as SRH face DC in Hyderabad.

"That is a source of frustration for himself, but he is working exceptionally hard on trying to get it right. – Daniel Vettori"

Hyderabad, May 4

Ahead of his side's match against Delhi Capitals (DC), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori clarified that there are no fitness concerns about an out-of-form pacer Mohammed Shami and that the veteran is working hard in the nets to turn things around for himself.

DC, sitting at fifth place with six wins and four losses and aiming to confirm their spot in the playoffs, will be meeting struggling SRH, who sits at ninth spot with three wins and seven losses in 10 matches, at Hyderabad on Monday.

Speaking at the pre-match presser about Shami's dip in form, Vettori said, "No fitness concerns from our end. He's trained and prepared as well as he can. I know that he had high expectations coming into the tournament based on how well he had bowled in Champions Trophy."

"If you look back two seasons ago, he was obviously the Purple Cap winner. We know that he has been able to perform in IPL in the past and it just has not come together for him in this season. He probably just has not been the consistent bowler that we are so used to."

"That is a source of frustration for himself, but he is working exceptionally hard on trying to get it right. With four games to go, I think it is probably premature to try and delve too much into that because the four games could produce a different story. We are able to talk positively about more players depending on what they are able to do," he concluded.

Shami came to the IPL after a solid ICC Champions Trophy winning campaign for India, taking nine wickets in five matches at an average of 25.88 with a five-wicket haul to his name. Since his return after more than an year from an injury, Shami has managed 14 wickets in nine international games at an average of 27.64.

However, Shami's IPL numbers have been dissapointing, having taken just six scalps in nine matches at an average of 56.16, leaking runs at an economy rate of 11.23.

Squads:

Delhi Capitals Squad: Abishek Porel(w), Faf du Plessis, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Axar Patel(c), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Sameer Rizvi, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tripurana Vijay, Donovan Ferreira, Mohit Sharma, Madhav Tiwari, Darshan Nalkande, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Manvanth Kumar L, T Natarajan

Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Aniket Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins(c), Harshal Patel, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari, Mohammed Shami, Abhinav Manohar, Sachin Baby, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder, Atharva Taide, Simarjeet Singh, Smaran Ravichandran, Eshan Malinga.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Shami bhai is a champion bowler! One bad season doesn't define his career. Remember how he carried our bowling attack in the Champions Trophy? Form is temporary, class is permanent. SRH should back him for these last 4 matches 💪 #KeepFaith
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Priya M.
Honestly, SRH's poor performance isn't just about Shami. The whole team looks disjointed. Why spend 6.5 cr on a bowler and then not give him proper support? Our fielding has been atrocious this season too. Need complete overhaul next year!
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Arjun S.
Economy rate of 11.23 is unacceptable for an international bowler. Maybe he's still carrying niggles from injury? Should have rested him more instead of rushing back. Hope he finds rhythm before T20 World Cup 🤞
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Sneha R.
Vettori's comments show good man management. Unlike some coaches who throw players under the bus, he's protecting Shami while acknowledging the struggle. This is how you handle senior players! 👏
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Vikram J.
As an SRH fan since 2013, this season has been painful to watch. From Warner-Rashid days to this... Shami's poor form is just tip of the iceberg. Management needs to take hard decisions - either back him fully or bench him. This middle path isn't working.
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Neha P.
People forget Shami is 33! How many fast bowlers maintain peak form at this age? Maybe time to reduce his workload and use him strategically like Bhuvi. Still believe he has 2-3 good years left if managed properly.

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