Shami Mentors Mohsin Khan Through Injury Hell as LSG Duo Shines in Dire IPL Season

Key facts

• Mohsin Khan took 5 for 23 against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026.
• Mohsin has 9 wickets at an average of 11.33 and economy of 6.38 this season.
• Shami and Mohsin have combined for 16 wickets for LSG.
• LSG have won only 2 of 8 matches and sit 10th in the points table.
• Mohsin underwent surgery 14-15 months ago for a calf injury.
• Mohsin also suffered a shoulder injury in 2022 that nearly cost him his hand.
• Shami recovered from an ankle injury after the 2023 World Cup and returned for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

A Bond Forged in Pain

Mohammed Shami knows the abyss of a career-threatening injury. After damaging his ankle following the 2023 World Cup, he spent months in rehabilitation before returning for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Now, he is guiding a younger teammate through the same darkness. Mohsin Khan, the left-arm pacer for Lucknow Super Giants, was reduced to a man afraid to walk. A calf injury had sidelined him for the entire IPL 2025, and after surgery, he could barely jog. "He was so afraid that he couldn't even walk or run," Shami recalled. "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.'"

From Crutches to Five-Wicket Haul

Within days of Shami's intervention, Mohsin was jogging and catching. The veteran pacer spoke to the doctors, assured Mohsin it was safe, and monitored his every step. "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 said. That trust paid off spectacularly. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, Mohsin recorded figures of 5 for 23, Lucknow's first five-wicket haul of the season. Earlier, he had bowled a maiden and dismissed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi against Rajasthan Royals. He now has 9 wickets at an average of 11.33 and an economy rate of 6.38.

A Big Brother's Shoulder

Mohsin credits Shami as his "big brother" and mentor. "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," an emotional Mohsin said in a video shared by LSG. "People expect to see me the way I was before the surgery, so that's my goal." Shami's support went beyond equipment. He gave Mohsin time, space, and constant motivation. "When I needed something, even when I didn't need anything, he was always there," Mohsin added.

LSG's Gloomy Campaign

The duo's heroics have been the only bright spots in a dismal season for Lucknow Super Giants. The franchise has won just two of eight matches and sits at the bottom of the 10-team points table. Captain Rishabh Pant has failed with the bat, and key players like Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran have not replicated their previous form. Shami and Mohsin have combined for 16 wickets, and with Prince Yadav's 13, the pace attack has been formidable. But the batting collapse has left LSG struggling for balance. The team's inability to post competitive totals has negated the bowlers' efforts.

Shared Scars, Shared Strength

Shami's own journey makes him an empathetic mentor. After the 2023 World Cup, he underwent ankle surgery and a grueling rehabilitation before returning for the 2025 Champions Trophy. He understands the fear of re-injury and the patience required to rebuild confidence. Mohsin's injury history is even more harrowing. In 2022, he suffered a shoulder injury that nearly cost him his hand. Last year, a calf injury limited his movement to the point where he feared walking. LSG retained him despite these setbacks, a testament to his potential.

What Comes Next

Mohsin's resurgence has given LSG a glimmer of hope for the remainder of the season, though playoffs appear out of reach. For Mohsin, the goal is to sustain his form and meet the expectations of fans who remember his pre-surgery prowess. Shami, meanwhile, continues to be a stabilizing presence in the dressing room. The partnership between the two pacers underscores a broader truth in professional sport: recovery is rarely a solo journey. As Shami put it, "As long as he's here, let him be." For Mohsin, that presence has made all the difference.

The bottom line

• Mohsin Khan's 5/23 against KKR marked his first IPL five-wicket haul after a 15-month injury layoff.
• Mohammed Shami mentored Mohsin through rehabilitation, providing equipment and psychological support.
• LSG have won only 2 of 8 matches and are 10th in the IPL 2026 standings.
• Shami and Mohsin have taken 16 wickets together, making them LSG's most effective bowling pair.
• Mohsin's recovery included overcoming fear of walking and jogging after crutches were removed.
• Shami's own comeback from a 2023 ankle injury informed his approach to mentoring Mohsin.