According to Lucknow Super Giants spin bowling coach Carl Crowe, Mohammed Shami’s “new” delivery, which he developed just a few days ago while training with bowling coach Bharat Arun, was the key to outwitting Abhishek Sharma.
After a fantastic domestic season for Bengal, the out-of-favor Shami has been outstanding for LSG. He returned with an incredible spell of 2/9 from four overs, including 18 dot balls, to destroy the elite Sunrisers Hyderabad top order.
“(Bowling coach) Bharat Arun and Shami worked on a new-ball variation four days before the game. He used that very ball to dismiss Abhishek,” PTI quoted Crowe as saying.
The No. 1 T20 batsman was expertly set up by the slower, wider delivery in question. Before startling the batter with a yorker on the leg-stump line, Shami changed his field by shifting deep third man to deep point.
He withdrew the slip, placed another fielder on the off side, and bowled a slower delivery wide of the left-hander on the last ball of the over. This caused a drive that produced a thick outside edge, which M Siddharth collected at short third man.
In his subsequent over, Shami also removed Travis Head to stifle SRH’s 156/9. It was the LSG’s first victory of the season, and they won by five wickets.
With 68 wickets in all formats—16 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, 15 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and 37 in the Ranji Trophy—Shami had an incredible domestic season for Bengal in 2025–2026.
Despite growing clamor for his return to the white-ball setup with the 2027 World Cup in mind, he has continued to be disregarded by the national think tank headed by coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
According to Crowe, Shami stands out for his eagerness to learn new tricks.
“I think for all of us — young and old cricketers — you’re never too old to learn a new skill. The fact that in just four days he picked up that skill, executed it in a match and got a wicket is a testament not only to Bharat’s coaching but also to Mohammed Shami’s mindset. As a senior player, he’s still very willing to develop new skills and push his game forward. That mindset is fantastic.”
LSG captain Rishabh Pant was also commended by the former English first-class cricketer, who described him as an “empowering” leader.
“I would say he definitely empowers his bowlers. He is very keen to hear their views in team meetings and is interested in understanding their perspectives and plans. Personally, I’ve really warmed up to him.”
“One thing he does really nicely — it may seem small — is that when he enters the room as captain, he says ‘hello’ to every single person and shakes their hand. As a leader, that makes you feel welcome and that you belong, and I really like that about him.”
Crowe was open about how much he admired Pant.
“He’s definitely an empowering, players-first type of captain from what I’ve observed so far. Of course, he still guides and offers suggestions when needed. As a keeper, it can be difficult at times when you’re 30 yards back to run up to the bowler and give advice, but he has experienced players like Aiden (Markram) and (Nicholas) Pooran around him to help with that.”
“I’ve been really impressed with Rishabh. He genuinely wants the team to do well. The other day I heard him say, ‘What else can I do for the team?’ When your leader thinks like that, the players naturally follow,” he added.
Although speedster Mayank Yadav has not yet made an appearance for LSG, raising concerns about injuries, Crowe stated that the team’s potent pace attack makes it difficult to break into the starting lineup.
“Mayank is, of course, a fantastic bowler, but we currently have eight, nine, even ten quality seamers. It’s a very tough side to get into,” he said.
