Mohammed Shami’s impact for Lucknow Super Giants against Sunrisers Hyderabad was shaped as much by preparation as execution, with a newly-developed variation playing a decisive role in the dismissal of Abhishek Sharma.

Lucknow Super Giants spin bowling coach Carl Crowe revealed that the delivery had been worked on just days before the match in consultation with bowling coach Bharat Arun.

“(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,” Crowe said.

Shami adjusted his field by moving deep third man to deep point and followed it up with a yorker on the leg-stump line. With the batter set up, he then went wider and slower on the final ball of the over, drawing Abhishek into a drive that produced a thick outside edge to short third man.

Mohammed Shami struck again in his next over, removing Travis Head and tightening his grip on the innings as Sunrisers Hyderabad were restricted to 156 for 9. Shami finished with figures of 2 for 9 in four overs, including 18 dot balls, as Lucknow Super Giants secured their first win of the season by five wickets.

The outing added to Shami’s strong run this season, following a prolific domestic campaign for Bengal in which he claimed 68 wickets across formats. Despite that, he remains out of India’s white-ball plans under coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, even as calls grow for his return with the 2027 World Cup in mind.

Crowe highlighted Shami’s approach to skill development as central to his continued effectiveness.

“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.”

Crowe also pointed to the influence of captain Rishabh Pant, describing him as a leader who creates space for bowlers to express their ideas.

“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 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.”

He added that Pant’s leadership style has been evident in the way he engages with players on and off the field.

“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 and Nicholas 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 said.

Crowe also played down concerns around the absence of Mayank Yadav, pointing to the depth in the squad.

“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 added.

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The BCCI has introduced another operational restriction for IPL teams, this time limiting the movement of benched players during matches. In the latest update to match-day regulations, players not among the 16 named on the team sheet will no longer be allowed to enter the field of play, even for routine duties such as carrying drinks, bats, or messages.

The move adds another layer to the board’s tightening of IPL protocols this season and is understood to have been communicated to franchises recently. As per the updated rule, only those included in the 16-player match list can perform on-field substitute duties during the game. Even among those stationed outside the playing XI, movement near the boundary has now been sharply restricted.

The report also noted that the latest restriction is effectively tied to existing clauses in the IPL Match Playing Conditions. One of those clauses, 11.5.2, deals with the manner in which drinks may be carried to players on the field, stating that such movement should happen without wasting time and in proper cricket attire. Another, 24.1.4, relates to squad members who are not part of the match XI or not acting as substitute fielders, requiring them to wear training bibs while on the playing area, including the space between the boundary and the perimeter fencing.

The same report quoted team sources as saying: “Instructions have been passed to us only recently that all substitutes cannot move around during the match. They are also not allowed to carry drinks onto the field. Only the 16 named in the team for the match can do so. In addition to that, only five outside the playing XI can move around. The others can sit in the dugout, but cannot move between the boundary line and LED advertising boards.”

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The development fits into a broader pattern of stricter enforcement seen this IPL season. In recent weeks, franchises were also informed of fresh operational rules covering match-day practice restrictions, access controls around training areas, limits on support staff movement, and tighter presentation protocols. This latest step appears to further standardise the match environment by narrowing who can be present around the field of play and when.

For teams, it means less flexibility at the boundary. For the IPL, it is another sign that match-day conduct is now more tightly regulated than before.