'The truth is that Mohammed Shami....': Aakash Chopra drops colossal statement

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami hasn't played the first two T20Is against England which has raised concerns over his fitness status. While the reports suggest that he is out due to India's bowling combination, his unavailability has raised several questions.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra opened up on Shami's extended absence from the ongoing T20I series. Chopra feels that Shami needs to play in the third T20I as the Champions Trophy is due to start in a few days.

Mohammed Shami is also a part of India's ODI squad against England and the upcoming Champions Trophy as well. He will be key to India's chances given the uncertainty over his fitness.

Also read: Virat Kohli forces Indian broadcaster to live stream Delhi vs Railways Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match

Will Mohammed Shami play in the third T20I?

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra expressed worries over Mohammed Shami's fitness and claimed that the fast bowler needs to play now. The former India cricketer reminded the viewers that Shami hasn't played international cricket for a long time.

"Will Mohammed Shami be back? That's the biggest thought. At some stage, he has to play. This month is about to get over, it's the 28th, and then you have one more match, but your T20 series will be more than half done by this evening," Chopra said.

"So if Mohammed Shami doesn't play now also, what is the actual status? The truth is that Shami needs to play. If Shami doesn't play, I am personally worried. It's not that the Champions Trophy is starting tomorrow but he hasn't played for 15 months," he observed.

Aakash Chopra wants Mohammed Shami to play

Further speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about the need to play international cricket to get ready for big games. He denied agreeing that Shami is not playing because of a preferred bowling combination.

"We are repeatedly saying - no issues, next match, but the truth is that he will only get ready if he plays international cricket. As it's said, you can only extract pure gold from gold by heating it. If Shami is not playing at all, at some stage, you will start wondering what the status is," the former India opener said.

"You are not making him sit out because of the bowling combination. There is no report about whether he is available to play this match, but I really hope that he is available and plays the match," he added.

Spin-heavy bowling attack for Champions Trophy

India have gone with a world-class bowling attack for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The fast bowlers in the squad are Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh. Hardik Pandya is also included as the fast bowling allrounder.

However, Bumrah's place is uncertain and it remains to be seen whether he gets fit in time for the tournament. Interestingly, Mohammed Siraj, who has been an all-format bowler over the years, has been dropped. The selectors have gone with a spin-heavy line-up which includes Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.