Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) executed one of the boldest moves in the IPL 2026 trade window by officially acquiring Indian pace veteran Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on November 14, 2025. Shami, renowned for his lethal seam movement, sharp accuracy, and ability to strike early with the new ball, joins the LSG squad to bolster their bowling attack ahead of the crucial auction next month. The pacer will now team up with captain Rishabh Pant at LSG, adding world-class experience and firepower to their pace battery.

SRH trade Mohammed Shami to LSG ahead of the IPL 2026 auction

LSG confirmed the trade through a cryptic social media post featuring a famous image of Shami bowling England’s Ben Stokes during the India-England match at Ekana Stadium, highlighting the moment without explicitly naming Shami. The deal reportedly involved LSG paying SRH INR 10 crore, matching Shami’s previous auction price, as the Sunrisers decided to part ways with the bowler after a below-par season hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances. Shami played nine matches for SRH in IPL 2025 but could only claim six wickets at an economy rate above 11, which fell short of expectations.

Despite recent struggles, Shami’s broader IPL record of 133 wickets in 119 matches, including impactful campaigns for Gujarat Titanspositions him as a valuable asset for LSG, who seek to strengthen their pace attack after a disappointing previous season. The addition of a local-born player like Shami also aligns with LSG’s strategic approach to building a competitive and balanced squad for IPL 2026.​

Kolkata Knight Riders appoints champion pacer as the new bowling coach

In parallel coaching news, IPL 2026 sees the appointment of New Zealand fast-bowling legend Tim Southee as the bowling coach for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Southee, who retired from international cricket in 2024, had an illustrious IPL playing career and previously represented KKR. His transition to coaching includes recent stints with the England men’s team, where he served as a bowling consultant. KKR’s CEO Venky Mysore welcomed him back, emphasizing Southee’s extensive experience, technical insight, and calm leadership qualities that will be invaluable in mentoring KKR’s bowling unit next season.

Southee joins a revamped KKR coaching staff led by head coach Abhishek Nayar and takes over from Bharat Arunwho has moved to LSG as part of their coaching renewals. The New Zealand pacer’s familiarity with the IPL environment and his coaching acumen are expected to inspire the young bowlers at KKR, aiming to propel the franchise towards a strong performance in IPL 2026. The franchise also brought in Shane Watson as an assistant coach while retaining Dwayne Bravo as mentor, signaling a comprehensive strategy focused on bowling excellence highlighted by Southee’s appointment.​

This IPL 2026 pre-auction period continues to witness significant player and coaching movements as franchises like LSG and KKR prepare for a competitive season in Abu Dhabi, sharpening their squads and support staff for success.