Players who can replace Mohammed Shami if SRH release him ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Mohammed Shami for SRH in IPL (Source: AFP)

Mohammed Shami's fitness has been the talk of the town in the last year or so, and it has kept him out of the Indian team. During this time period, he played in the Champions Trophy and did decently. However, Shami had a poor IPL 2025 and leaked runs at an economy rate of 11.23.

The star bowler was also dropped from the side midway through the season and could not do justice to his price tag of 10 crore. Now, there are reports that SRH might release him and as he has not played a lot of cricket since the 2023 World Cup, there are high chances that they will do so.

Mohammed Shami in IPL 2025

Thus, SRH might look for replacements who can match the quality of Mohammed Shami. Thus, in this article, we will look at the three players who can replace him.

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc is as experienced as Mohammed Shami in international cricket. He played for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, but there are now reports that they might release him, which gives a good opportunity for SRH to buy him.

He is a gun bowler who is known to produce his best in crunch situations and played a big part in KKR's title win in 2024. The pacer also has the ability to pick wickets with both new ball and old ball, and would fill a big gap in the batting-heavy SRH unit. Thus, their dangerous batting will get a dependable asset with the ball and would provide the Orange Army with more balance.

Mitchell Starc in IPL

Also, Pat Cummins is the captain of SRH, and he would like to bring Starc on board. They could form a lethal pair and can take SRH full distance in the 2026 season.

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Deepak Chahar

If SRH are looking for a bowler who can do the Powerplay job as Shami is known to do, then Deepak Chahar can be a good option. Deepak Chahar did decently for MI in the last season, but he clearly did not live upto the expectations and might be released.

Deepak Chahar in IPL

SRH, though, might look at him as a good like-for-like replacement of Shami. He is an experienced bowler and can make an impact with the new ball if he is fully fit and finds his rhythm. He has also been a match-winner for CSK in the past and can contribute with the bat as well. Thus, the Sunrisers might target Deepak Chahar in the auction if he is released.

Mayank Yadav

Mayank Yadav was retained for 11 crore by LSG ahead of IPL 2025, but his fitness remained a big problem. He could play only two matches and is still struggling with injuries. Thus, LSG might want to release him and free up their 11 crore, and it provides an opportunity for SRH to buy him at a lower price.

Mayank Yadav in T20s

If he is fit, he can be an x-factor and a genuine wicket-taker for SRH, a kind of bowler that the franchise is missing. He can rattle the opposition with his raw pace and can be a long-term option that SRH might get at a low price if LSG release him.

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