“I Wanted Mohammed Shami at SRH” – Dale Steyn Opens Up on Past IPL Request

Dale Steyn said he repeatedly asked the SRH management to sign Mohammed Shami and believes a fully fit Shami can walk into any IPL team.

Former South Africa fast-bowler Dale Steyn has revealed that he repeatedly pushed Sunrisers Hyderabad to sign Mohammed Shami during his time as the franchise’s bowling coach between 2021 and 2024. Steyn believed Shami was operating at his peak in those years, especially after his Purple Cap season in IPL 2023.

Shami later joined SRH for INR 10 crore at the mega auction but struggled with form and fitness. He took only six wickets in nine matches during the 2025 season. His dip has started discussion around a possible trade to Lucknow Super Giants or even a release before the next auction.

Steyn then said he would feel disappointed if SRH moved on from a bowler of Shami’s calibre, but he acknowledged that franchises often prioritise match-fitness when finalising squads. He added that a fully fit Shami remains capable of strengthening any IPL attack.

“When I was bowling coach of Sunrisers, I was like, please, can we somehow get Mohammed Shami. And the moment that I wasn’t there, they got him. So, I would be disappointed if you lost him. I think fitness and form play a key role when it comes to the IPL, especially with bowlers. You want bowlers to be fit,” said Steyn on Star Sports.

“You want them to be firing, and if Shami is fit and firing, he’ll make any team. But if he’s been struggling a little bit and he’s had a couple of months off, some teams might say, you know what, there are other players that we would like to come into the team right now because they’re fit. They’re firing, and you would have been good a year and a half. for us, but not right now. So that release might happen. But yeah, three years ago when I was there, I was begging for him,” he added.

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Notably, the experienced pacer has shown encouraging signs in domestic cricket, taking 15 wickets in three Ranji Trophy games.