Mohammed Shami OUT of England T20Is, set to make India comeback in...

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami was expected to be a part of the Playing XI from the start of the T20I series against England. However, the Indian team management led by the head coach Gautam Gambhir didn't play him for the first two matches of the T20I series.

It came as a big surprise as the fast bowler hasn't played an international match for over a year and the fans are desperately waiting for him to back in national colors. It was speculated that Shami might not be fully fit to be a part of the squad.

Another speculation was that he isn't fitting in the team combination as India went with a variety of options in spin bowling. But the reason for his absence has been finally revealed.

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Why was Mohammed Shami not a part of India's Playing XI?

The Indian team management is looking to preserve Mohammed Shami for the upcoming 50-over assignments. After the T20I series, India will play an ODI series against England and the much-important Champions Trophy.

Shami's presence will be of utmost importance in the Champions Trophy where he will be India's most experienced fast bowler. With uncertainty around Jasprit Bumrah's availability due to injury, the team management wants to preserve Shami.

According to TOI, Mohammed Shami has fully recovered and is already bowling at full tilt in the nets. The Indian coaching staff is impressed with his progress but is preserving him for long-term gains. As a result, he has been preferred just for the ODIs and therefore, has not been considered for the T20Is.

"(Mohammed) Shami has shed 2 kgs from what he gained before his injury. He is bowling at full tilt. He is not needed as much in the T20 matches. But he should be good to go once the ODIs come around," a source was quoted as saying in the TOI.

Will Mohammed Shami play 3rd IND vs ENG T20I?

It is expected that Mohammed Shami might not play the third T20I of the series at Rajkot unless the pitch demands an extra fast bowler. Since India have already won in Kolkata and Chennai, the team management is not likely to tinker with the playing combination.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and the captain Suryakumar Yadav have preferred to go with three spinners and just one specialist fast bowler so far in the form of Arshdeep Singh. It is likely to remain the trend for the Rajkot T20I as well.

Arshdeep has taken the new ball and also bowled at the death. The left-arm quick has been in sensational form with the ball and is also a part of India's Champions Trophy squad. Arshdeep was picked in the squad ahead of Mohammed Siraj due to his skills in the death overs.

Mohammed Shami's last international match

Mohammed Shami's last international match was the ODI World Cup 2023 final played against Australia on November 19, 2023. Since then, he has been out of the team due to injury. The fast bowler went under the knife in early 2023 and missed big tournaments like IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup 2024.

He was expected to be back in national colors for India's home Test season but couldn't recover on time. He was expected to be back for the home Tests against New Zealand but suffered swelling on his knee during rehabilitation which further delayed his return.

As a result, he also missed India's Test series in Australia. While he has been out of international cricket, Shami has been constantly playing domestic cricket. He played for Bengal and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy apart from playing a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal.