Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head coach Daniel Vettori has thrown his support behind seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami, who endured a rough outing in IPL 2025. Shami, known for his lethal new-ball spells and death-overs control, had a forgettable season this year, managing just six wickets from nine appearances while conceding runs at an alarming economy rate of 11.23.

Addressing Shami’s form slump after SRH’s commanding win over Kolkata Knight Riders, Daniel Vettori explained the broader context behind the pacer’s dip in performance.

“It’s been a long time since Shami played T20 cricket, and getting back into the groove takes time. The game has evolved quite a bit in the last 18 months. When he last played for GT, he was the Purple Cap winner. I think consistency has been his biggest challenge this season,” said Daniel Vettori.

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Highlighting what sets Shami apart, Daniel Vettori added, “He’s at his best when he’s hitting that perfect length consistently. This season, he wasn’t quite at that metronomic best we’ve seen before. A long layoff, changing match conditions—these things matter. He worked hard, he was keen to perform, but it just didn’t come together. Still, with the kind of quality he brings, there’s every chance he’ll bounce back.”

Shami has been dealing with injury setbacks since early 2024. After recovering from ankle surgery in February, he began experiencing pain in his right knee, which has required further medical attention.

Despite these physical challenges, he returned to domestic cricket with Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, claiming seven wickets in a match against Madhya Pradesh. There was speculation about his return during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, but that comeback didn’t materialise.

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However, Shami made his presence felt in India’s Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker. Though the 34-year-old has had a tough IPL season, his pedigree and past performances across formats keep him firmly in contention for India’s plans going forward.