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Alcaraz plans to play full clay-court season ahead of French Open title defence  Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday it “feels amazing” to be back on clay and that he is aiming to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome before his Roland Garros title defence.The world number one, who gets his bid for a second straight Monte Carlo Masters title underway next week, has never played a complete European clay-court season.He also won the Italian Open last year, with his only defeat on clay in 2025 coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final.“I miss clay every time that the clay season is over. I just miss it,” Alcaraz told reporters in Monaco.“It’s been [a] long [time] since Roland Garros that I just haven’t touched clay.“The first practices that I got, I just said to my team, ‘It’s time to get to the dirty socks again’. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo title on only his second appearance at the tournament 12 months ago, but skipped the Madrid Open.Last year was also only the second time he had played in Rome, but this campaign he is hoping to play a full schedule.“That’s my idea,” said the Spaniard. “Obviously the clay season is really…..it’s too demanding, physically, mentally.“But obviously I would say the week of Barcelona should be the week that I have to take off.“But Barcelona is a really important tournament for me.“A special feeling that I just used to play (there) when I was under 14. A lot of friends there, playing at home, it’s always great.“So let’s see how it’s going to be, the body and mentally.”ALSO READ | Uppal confident that Indian women have enough depth to make it to playoffsAlcaraz will face either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in his opening match in the second round in the principality, having received a first-round bye as the top seed.He practised with three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka on Saturday and hopes to face him for the first time before the Swiss retires at the end of the year.“It’s incredible to see him around, still having him around.“I will try to enjoy as much as I can his matches, the matches he plays until the end of the year.“But hopefully (I) play against him at least once and say that I just played a match against a legend like Stan.”Published on Apr 05, 2026  #Alcaraz #plans #play #full #claycourt #season #ahead #French #Open #title #defence

Alcaraz plans to play full clay-court season ahead of French Open title defence

Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday it “feels amazing” to be back on clay and that he is aiming to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome before his Roland Garros title defence.

The world number one, who gets his bid for a second straight Monte Carlo Masters title underway next week, has never played a complete European clay-court season.

He also won the Italian Open last year, with his only defeat on clay in 2025 coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final.

“I miss clay every time that the clay season is over. I just miss it,” Alcaraz told reporters in Monaco.

“It’s been [a] long [time] since Roland Garros that I just haven’t touched clay.

“The first practices that I got, I just said to my team, ‘It’s time to get to the dirty socks again’. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”

Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo title on only his second appearance at the tournament 12 months ago, but skipped the Madrid Open.

Last year was also only the second time he had played in Rome, but this campaign he is hoping to play a full schedule.

“That’s my idea,” said the Spaniard. “Obviously the clay season is really…..it’s too demanding, physically, mentally.

“But obviously I would say the week of Barcelona should be the week that I have to take off.

“But Barcelona is a really important tournament for me.

“A special feeling that I just used to play (there) when I was under 14. A lot of friends there, playing at home, it’s always great.

“So let’s see how it’s going to be, the body and mentally.”

ALSO READ | Uppal confident that Indian women have enough depth to make it to playoffs

Alcaraz will face either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in his opening match in the second round in the principality, having received a first-round bye as the top seed.

He practised with three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka on Saturday and hopes to face him for the first time before the Swiss retires at the end of the year.

“It’s incredible to see him around, still having him around.

“I will try to enjoy as much as I can his matches, the matches he plays until the end of the year.

“But hopefully (I) play against him at least once and say that I just played a match against a legend like Stan.”

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#Alcaraz #plans #play #full #claycourt #season #ahead #French #Open #title #defence

Carlos Alcaraz said Sunday it “feels amazing” to be back on clay and that he is aiming to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome before his Roland Garros title defence.

The world number one, who gets his bid for a second straight Monte Carlo Masters title underway next week, has never played a complete European clay-court season.

He also won the Italian Open last year, with his only defeat on clay in 2025 coming against Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final.

“I miss clay every time that the clay season is over. I just miss it,” Alcaraz told reporters in Monaco.

“It’s been [a] long [time] since Roland Garros that I just haven’t touched clay.

“The first practices that I got, I just said to my team, ‘It’s time to get to the dirty socks again’. It feels amazing to be back on clay.”

Alcaraz won the Monte Carlo title on only his second appearance at the tournament 12 months ago, but skipped the Madrid Open.

Last year was also only the second time he had played in Rome, but this campaign he is hoping to play a full schedule.

“That’s my idea,” said the Spaniard. “Obviously the clay season is really…..it’s too demanding, physically, mentally.

“But obviously I would say the week of Barcelona should be the week that I have to take off.

“But Barcelona is a really important tournament for me.

“A special feeling that I just used to play (there) when I was under 14. A lot of friends there, playing at home, it’s always great.

“So let’s see how it’s going to be, the body and mentally.”

ALSO READ | Uppal confident that Indian women have enough depth to make it to playoffs

Alcaraz will face either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez in his opening match in the second round in the principality, having received a first-round bye as the top seed.

He practised with three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka on Saturday and hopes to face him for the first time before the Swiss retires at the end of the year.

“It’s incredible to see him around, still having him around.

“I will try to enjoy as much as I can his matches, the matches he plays until the end of the year.

“But hopefully (I) play against him at least once and say that I just played a match against a legend like Stan.”

Published on Apr 05, 2026

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#Alcaraz #plans #play #full #claycourt #season #ahead #French #Open #title #defence

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How Los Angeles Lakers Might Need Bronny James in NBA Playoffs | Deadspin.com <div id="section-1"> <p>The Los Angeles Lakers just can’t catch a break.</p><p>After Luka Doncic’s regular season ended with a hamstring injury, the Lakers just got another dose of brutal injury luck. Austin Reaves is also <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25414702-austin-reaves-diagnosed-oblique-injury-latest-lakers-stars-status-nba-playoffs-timeline" target="_blank">done for the remainder of the remainder of the regular season</a> due to an oblique strain.</p><p>There’s no timetable for Doncic or Reaves, arguably the best two Lakers players, to return. Of course, Los Angeles will remain hopeful that they can play in the NBA Playoffs, but there’s still five more regular season games to get through before those decisions.</p><p>For years, a viral internet social media post that reads, “accidentally became important at work and it’s ruining my life,” has become quite the viral meme.</p><p>For Lakers point guard Bronny James, that meme might’ve turned into a reality.</p><h2 id="could-bronny-really-play-in-the-postseason" class=" uppercase break-words">Could Bronny really play in the postseason?</h2><p>Without Doncic or Reaves, Luke Kennard is the only healthy ball handler in Los Angeles that has gotten consistent minutes throughout the regular season. Of course, LeBron James is a ballhandler and can efficiently run an offense – but that takes him out of his current role.</p><p>There’s a real world, if Doncic and Kennard can’t suit up, that Bronny could end up playing significant minutes in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.</p><p>Lakers coach JJ Redick has been trusting Bronny a bit more in his second NBA season. As a rookie, he played in just 27 games. This year, he’s already appeared in 37 games. That could be as many as 42 games – especially with the new need for a point guard in Los Angeles.</p><p>Bronny averaged just a tick under eight minutes per night when he was called on to enter action for the Lakers this season. He’s played a much bigger role for the South Bay Lakers, where Bronny has played six games this season. In those 14 <a href="https://deadspin.com/maybe-bronny-james-isnt-as-bad-as-you-all-thought/" target="_blank">G League appearances</a>, Bronny has averaged 15 points per game.</p><p>That’s not exactly the sort of production that screams to the Lakers that the 21-year-old is ready for action in the NBA Playoffs. The lights are brighter, the pace is faster and the game is way more physical in the postseason.</p><p>But out of necessity, could Redick find himself desperate?</p><p>In reality, Bronny isn’t going to see postseason minutes. The Lakers still have Kennard and Jake LaRavia would be ahead of Bronny in a playoff rotation if push came to shove. </p><p>The Lakers are currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Right now, they’d be matched up with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. However, there’s still more than one week in the regular season, and the seeding can change with all of this injury news.</p><p>Before his injury, Doncic was playing at an MVP level. <a href="https://deadspin.com/lebron-james-is-embracing-being-the-second-option-with-los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank">LeBron has enjoyed his role</a> as “OG in residence,” contributing as a consistent third option with Doncic and Reaves handling the workload every night.</p><p>If Doncic and Reaves can’t suit up for Game 1 of the postseason, James is back to being the No. 1 option for the Lakers. </p><p>In that scenario, nobody should be surprised if Bronny gets a few minutes of run in the postseason. If the Lakers find themselves with their backs against the wall without their best two players against an athletic Anthony Edwards or a talented Houston Rockets team, they might as well bank on chemistry and genetics.</p> </div> #Los #Angeles #Lakers #Bronny #James #NBA #Playoffs #Deadspin.com

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Deadspin | Capitals look to keep climbing, visit rookie-fueled Rangers <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28663125.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28663125.jpg" alt="NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 4, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard (9) scores a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the third period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Suddenly the scoreboard is showing an abundance of favorable results for the Washington Capitals.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>A late season surge is also helping their cause and the Capitals attempt to keep gaining ground in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race Sunday night when they visit the New York Rangers.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Washington (39-29-9, 87 points) trailed the Boston Bruins by six points for the final wild-card spot following a 3-1 loss in Boston on March 7. Since then, the Capitals are 8-3-2 in their past 13 games and are now one point behind the Ottawa Senators for the last wild-card spot with five games left.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings also have 88 points but have a game in hand on Washington. Columbus also has 88 points and has played the same number of games as the Capitals.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Capitals inched closer after earning a 6-2 victory over the visiting Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. They are taking the ice in New York after Detroit hosts the Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia hosts the Bruins in Sunday afternoon games.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Washington also will take the ice in New York two hours after Ottawa starts its home game with the Carolina Hurricanes.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“We can only control what we do out there for 60 minutes and we’re just trying to do everything we can to stay alive and get ourselves in,” Washington forward Ryan Leonard said.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>On Saturday, the Capitals scored three goals in the opening period and Jakob Chychrun, Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael each finished with a goal and an assist.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>The Rangers lost two of three meetings with the Capitals earlier this season and are playing better of late. Following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1), New York is 4-1-0 in the first five contests of a seven-game homestand.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>New York has scored 19 goals over its last five games and aided the Capitals’ cause by cruising to a 4-1 win over Detroit on Saturday night.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Rookie Gabe Perreault recorded his first career hat trick while first-year forward Jaroslav Chmelar also scored. The Rangers played five rookies Saturday and since March 2, New York’s first-year players have 17 goals and 38 points.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>“Means a lot,” said Perreault, who has 10 goals in 44 games this season after appearing in five games last season. “Teammates made some nice plays, so had a couple of easy ones tonight. But it definitely feels good to get the hat trick, but most importantly, get the win.”</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Perreault became just the fourth Rangers rookie in the past 30 years to score a hat trick, joining Chris Kreider (2013), Derek Stepan (2010) and Jan Hlavac (2000).</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“At the start, I was kind of fighting it the first couple of shifts, so I didn’t necessarily think I was going to finish like that, but once we started generating chances and I got that first one and that second, you’re obviously thinking about the third one,” Perreault said. “Lucky enough, I was able to get out there and get the third one.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Capitals #climbing #visit #rookiefueled #Rangers

Deadspin | West Virginia rallies, beats Oklahoma in OT to win College Basketball Crown  Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Honor Huff (3) is interviewed after the game after defeating the BYU Cougars at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images   Honor Huff scored 38 points and made eight 3-pointers to help West Virginia rally for an 89-82 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the College Basketball Crown championship game on Sunday in Las Vegas.  Chance Moore added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Mountaineers (21-14), who trailed by 13 points in the second half before rallying. Brenen Lorient scored 15 points in the program’s first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT.  Nijel Pack led Oklahoma (21-16) with 24 points and seven assists, followed by Tae Davis’ 19 points and Xzayvier Brown’s 13.  Oklahoma scored the first six points of overtime, taking an 82-76 lead on Pack’s layup.  Jasper Floyd then hit his first 3-pointer of the game, followed by Huff’s triple to tie the score with 2:14 remaining. After Pack missed a 3-pointer, Floyd hit another trey to give the Mountaineers an 85-82 lead.  West Virginia got stops on its next two possessions and Huff drilled four straight free throws to seal the championship win.  Oklahoma pushed its four-point halftime lead to 10 on Pack’s 3-pointer, forcing a West Virginia timeout less than four minutes into the second half.  Brown’s jumper extended the margin to 13, before Huff’s three-point play and Moore’s layup cut the deficit to 59-51.   Lorient’s basket at the 5:23 mark pulled West Virginia within three. Derrion Reid and Davis scored on Oklahoma’s next two possessions, giving the Sooners a 71-64 lead.  From there, Huff scored five straight points and Lorient made a layup to tie the score at 71 with 1:45 remaining.  After an Oklahoma timeout, Pack and Huff traded triples. Davis then turned the ball over and committed a foul on Huff, who drained two free throws with 33 seconds left.  Davis’ ensuing layup tied the score at 76. Huff missed a go-ahead 3-pointer on the other end, sending the game to overtime.  The Mountaineers connected on eight of their first 10 3-point attempts, including Huff’s three straight triples to build a 26-11 lead.  Oklahoma answered with a 16-2 run, cutting its deficit to a point on Pack’s mid-range jumper with 5:25 left in the first half.  After Moore’s layup snapped a four-plus minute West Virginia scoring drought, the Sooners scored nine straight points, taking a 36-30 advantage. Davis closed the first half with a three-point play to give Oklahoma a 41-37 halftime lead.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #West #Virginia #rallies #beats #Oklahoma #win #College #Basketball #CrownFeb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Honor Huff (3) is interviewed after the game after defeating the BYU Cougars at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Honor Huff scored 38 points and made eight 3-pointers to help West Virginia rally for an 89-82 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the College Basketball Crown championship game on Sunday in Las Vegas.

Chance Moore added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Mountaineers (21-14), who trailed by 13 points in the second half before rallying. Brenen Lorient scored 15 points in the program’s first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT.

Nijel Pack led Oklahoma (21-16) with 24 points and seven assists, followed by Tae Davis’ 19 points and Xzayvier Brown’s 13.

Oklahoma scored the first six points of overtime, taking an 82-76 lead on Pack’s layup.

Jasper Floyd then hit his first 3-pointer of the game, followed by Huff’s triple to tie the score with 2:14 remaining. After Pack missed a 3-pointer, Floyd hit another trey to give the Mountaineers an 85-82 lead.

West Virginia got stops on its next two possessions and Huff drilled four straight free throws to seal the championship win.

Oklahoma pushed its four-point halftime lead to 10 on Pack’s 3-pointer, forcing a West Virginia timeout less than four minutes into the second half.


Brown’s jumper extended the margin to 13, before Huff’s three-point play and Moore’s layup cut the deficit to 59-51.

Lorient’s basket at the 5:23 mark pulled West Virginia within three. Derrion Reid and Davis scored on Oklahoma’s next two possessions, giving the Sooners a 71-64 lead.

From there, Huff scored five straight points and Lorient made a layup to tie the score at 71 with 1:45 remaining.

After an Oklahoma timeout, Pack and Huff traded triples. Davis then turned the ball over and committed a foul on Huff, who drained two free throws with 33 seconds left.

Davis’ ensuing layup tied the score at 76. Huff missed a go-ahead 3-pointer on the other end, sending the game to overtime.

The Mountaineers connected on eight of their first 10 3-point attempts, including Huff’s three straight triples to build a 26-11 lead.

Oklahoma answered with a 16-2 run, cutting its deficit to a point on Pack’s mid-range jumper with 5:25 left in the first half.

After Moore’s layup snapped a four-plus minute West Virginia scoring drought, the Sooners scored nine straight points, taking a 36-30 advantage. Davis closed the first half with a three-point play to give Oklahoma a 41-37 halftime lead.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #West #Virginia #rallies #beats #Oklahoma #win #College #Basketball #Crown">Deadspin | West Virginia rallies, beats Oklahoma in OT to win College Basketball Crown  Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Honor Huff (3) is interviewed after the game after defeating the BYU Cougars at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images   Honor Huff scored 38 points and made eight 3-pointers to help West Virginia rally for an 89-82 overtime victory over Oklahoma in the College Basketball Crown championship game on Sunday in Las Vegas.  Chance Moore added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Mountaineers (21-14), who trailed by 13 points in the second half before rallying. Brenen Lorient scored 15 points in the program’s first postseason tournament title since winning the 2007 NIT.  Nijel Pack led Oklahoma (21-16) with 24 points and seven assists, followed by Tae Davis’ 19 points and Xzayvier Brown’s 13.  Oklahoma scored the first six points of overtime, taking an 82-76 lead on Pack’s layup.  Jasper Floyd then hit his first 3-pointer of the game, followed by Huff’s triple to tie the score with 2:14 remaining. After Pack missed a 3-pointer, Floyd hit another trey to give the Mountaineers an 85-82 lead.  West Virginia got stops on its next two possessions and Huff drilled four straight free throws to seal the championship win.  Oklahoma pushed its four-point halftime lead to 10 on Pack’s 3-pointer, forcing a West Virginia timeout less than four minutes into the second half.  Brown’s jumper extended the margin to 13, before Huff’s three-point play and Moore’s layup cut the deficit to 59-51.   Lorient’s basket at the 5:23 mark pulled West Virginia within three. Derrion Reid and Davis scored on Oklahoma’s next two possessions, giving the Sooners a 71-64 lead.  From there, Huff scored five straight points and Lorient made a layup to tie the score at 71 with 1:45 remaining.  After an Oklahoma timeout, Pack and Huff traded triples. Davis then turned the ball over and committed a foul on Huff, who drained two free throws with 33 seconds left.  Davis’ ensuing layup tied the score at 76. Huff missed a go-ahead 3-pointer on the other end, sending the game to overtime.  The Mountaineers connected on eight of their first 10 3-point attempts, including Huff’s three straight triples to build a 26-11 lead.  Oklahoma answered with a 16-2 run, cutting its deficit to a point on Pack’s mid-range jumper with 5:25 left in the first half.  After Moore’s layup snapped a four-plus minute West Virginia scoring drought, the Sooners scored nine straight points, taking a 36-30 advantage. Davis closed the first half with a three-point play to give Oklahoma a 41-37 halftime lead.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #West #Virginia #rallies #beats #Oklahoma #win #College #Basketball #Crown

Mohammed Shami came back to haunt his old team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, mercilessly, taking the sting out of its explosive batting unit before the side was even ready to get going.

The success on one side, Shami vulnerably declared after a match-winning performance for Lucknow Super Giants, “I am not a machine. My seasons can go up and down. I have performed well in the last few years. People didn’t notice, that’s a different story. But I always try to do well.”

Besides scalping SRH’s openers, his spell on Sunday featured 16 dot balls to stifle the home side early.

“Dot balls depend on your preparation, followed by execution. Sometimes it happens that a very good ball leaves your hand. It’s important to hold that line and flow, and I did just that. Pace off works a little against Hyderabad batsmen, so I did that too,” he added.

ALSO READ | IPL 2026: Bowlers’ off day cost Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals, says Matthew Hayden

With former India bowling coach Bharat Arun in his corner, the 35-year-old credited meticulous planning and hard work for his strong performances against Delhi Capitals and SRH.

“My strength has always been with the new ball. On that particular day, if your bowling is going well, then you put in three overs early. If three go well, then put the fourth quickly,” he said.

When asked about playing on a familiar turf but for his ‘home’ team, Shami said, “Whole India is my local. I play all over. Everyone knows how the wicket is anywhere, what the conditions are and how to use them. It is very important to know how to use that against different teams.”

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#SRH #LSG #IPL #performed #years #people #didnt #notice #Mohammed #Shami">SRH vs LSG, IPL 2026:  I have performed well in the last few years, people didn’t notice — Mohammed Shami  Mohammed Shami came back to haunt his old team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, mercilessly, taking the sting out of its explosive batting unit before the side was even ready to get going.The success on one side, Shami vulnerably declared after a match-winning performance for Lucknow Super Giants, “I am not a machine. My seasons can go up and down. I have performed well in the last few years. People didn’t notice, that’s a different story. But I always try to do well.”Besides scalping SRH’s openers, his spell on Sunday featured 16 dot balls to stifle the home side early.“Dot balls depend on your preparation, followed by execution. Sometimes it happens that a very good ball leaves your hand. It’s important to hold that line and flow, and I did just that. Pace off works a little against Hyderabad batsmen, so I did that too,” he added.ALSO READ | IPL 2026: Bowlers’ off day cost Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals, says Matthew HaydenWith former India bowling coach Bharat Arun in his corner, the 35-year-old credited meticulous planning and hard work for his strong performances against Delhi Capitals and SRH.“My strength has always been with the new ball. On that particular day, if your bowling is going well, then you put in three overs early. If three go well, then put the fourth quickly,” he said.When asked about playing on a familiar turf but for his ‘home’ team, Shami said, “Whole India is my local. I play all over. Everyone knows how the wicket is anywhere, what the conditions are and how to use them. It is very important to know how to use that against different teams.”Published on Apr 05, 2026  #SRH #LSG #IPL #performed #years #people #didnt #notice #Mohammed #Shami

IPL 2026: Bowlers’ off day cost Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals, says Matthew Hayden

With former India bowling coach Bharat Arun in his corner, the 35-year-old credited meticulous planning and hard work for his strong performances against Delhi Capitals and SRH.

“My strength has always been with the new ball. On that particular day, if your bowling is going well, then you put in three overs early. If three go well, then put the fourth quickly,” he said.

When asked about playing on a familiar turf but for his ‘home’ team, Shami said, “Whole India is my local. I play all over. Everyone knows how the wicket is anywhere, what the conditions are and how to use them. It is very important to know how to use that against different teams.”

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#SRH #LSG #IPL #performed #years #people #didnt #notice #Mohammed #Shami">SRH vs LSG, IPL 2026: I have performed well in the last few years, people didn’t notice — Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami came back to haunt his old team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, mercilessly, taking the sting out of its explosive batting unit before the side was even ready to get going.

The success on one side, Shami vulnerably declared after a match-winning performance for Lucknow Super Giants, “I am not a machine. My seasons can go up and down. I have performed well in the last few years. People didn’t notice, that’s a different story. But I always try to do well.”

Besides scalping SRH’s openers, his spell on Sunday featured 16 dot balls to stifle the home side early.

“Dot balls depend on your preparation, followed by execution. Sometimes it happens that a very good ball leaves your hand. It’s important to hold that line and flow, and I did just that. Pace off works a little against Hyderabad batsmen, so I did that too,” he added.

ALSO READ | IPL 2026: Bowlers’ off day cost Gujarat Titans against Rajasthan Royals, says Matthew Hayden

With former India bowling coach Bharat Arun in his corner, the 35-year-old credited meticulous planning and hard work for his strong performances against Delhi Capitals and SRH.

“My strength has always been with the new ball. On that particular day, if your bowling is going well, then you put in three overs early. If three go well, then put the fourth quickly,” he said.

When asked about playing on a familiar turf but for his ‘home’ team, Shami said, “Whole India is my local. I play all over. Everyone knows how the wicket is anywhere, what the conditions are and how to use them. It is very important to know how to use that against different teams.”

Published on Apr 05, 2026

#SRH #LSG #IPL #performed #years #people #didnt #notice #Mohammed #Shami

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