Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2026 journey has taken a bleak turn, with the Rishabh Pant-led side languishing near the bottom of the points table. After eight matches, LSG have managed just two wins, leaving their campaign teetering on the brink of elimination. Yet even in a season full of setbacks, the franchise has been able to take heart from the form of two pace bowlers: Mohsin Khan and Mohammed Shami.
How Mohsin Khan’s rise has been shaped by setbacks and support
- Mohsin has been one of the bright spots for LSG this season, producing high-impact spells that have swung games in Lucknow’s favour. His standout moment came with a five-wicket haul against Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Behind those match-winning returns is a story of persistence. In 2022, Mohsin suffered a serious shoulder injury that nearly threatened the use of his arm.
- Even after working his way back, he faced another injury scare in 2025, this time a calf problem that added further disruption to his momentum.
- The IPL 2026 mini auction then became a major turning point for his career. LSG retained the 27-year-old for Rs 4 crore, giving him continuity and a platform to rebuild his rhythm.
- At the training camp, Mohsin found steady guidance from Shami, who stepped in as both mentor and a supportive elder figure within the group.
Shami’s own situation, however, has not been without complications. He is still awaiting his return to the Indian team after taking time away due to fitness concerns. Even so, he continued to play an active role in helping Mohsin through the recovery phase, offering practical support and encouragement as the younger pacer worked to regain his best form.
In an emotional message shared through a video posted by LSG on X (formerly Twitter) on May 4, 2026, Mohsin opened up about the time since his operation. “It had been almost 14-15 months since the operation. Shami bhai helped me a lot there. I would use all his equipment. He supported me a lot. People expect to see me the way I was before the surgery, so that’s my goal,” he said.
Shami also recalled Mohsin’s early days at the LSG camp and described how the two worked together as part of his comeback process. “When he came, it was a very difficult time. He was so afraid that he couldn’t even walk or run. It does feel a little uncomfortable at first. I asked him, ‘What are you afraid of?’ He said, ‘I just got my crutches removed, so I am not getting the confidence to jog comfortably.’ So, I spoke to the doctors and said, ‘Don’t worry. Even if something little happens, you’ll get to know. As long as he’s here, let him be,’” Shami said.
He added that progress came quickly once Mohsin began to regain confidence in his body. “Within 3-4 days, he started catching and jogging. Told him to stop whenever he feels even the slightest discomfort. But till that happens, you keep at it. Otherwise, we’ll go back by 5-6 months,” Shami remarked.
