Fans are confused as pace is overlooked for the 1st ENG T20I.
The five-match T20I series between India and England begins on Wednesday (January 22) at the Eden Gardens. Apart from the match being India’s first home game of the year, Mohammed Shami’s much-awaited return was also something fans were looking forward to.
The veteran pacer returned to the Indian team after more than a year. Mohammed Shami last played in the 2023 World Cup finals in November 2023. After the World Cup, he was sidelined with an ankle injury and underwent surgery.
The right-arm pacer finally returned to competitive cricket almost a year after he ruled Bengal in domestic cricket in November last year. Shami earned a call-up from the Indian team for the five-match T20I series against England after proving his match fitness.
Unsurprisingly, the Indian cricket fraternity was expecting Pacer’s name in the India Playing XI for the series opener. However, the Indian team management decided not to include Shami in the playing eleven for the first T20I.
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And as soon as the Indian squad was announced, fans took to X to express their surprise at the decision. Here are some responses.
No Mohammed Shami in first T20I match? Wtf is this decision. pic.twitter.com/JvOvSoO5eL
— RATNISH (@LoyalSachinFan) January 22, 2025
It was a mindless call not to have Mohammed Shami in the playing XI if he was fit. You must test your bowling skills now.
If there are still doubts, it is better for Mohammad Siraj to get his Dubai visa.
— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) January 22, 2025
No Mohammed Shami after all this. 😳#INVENG
– Jamie Alter 🇮🇳 (@alter_jamie) January 22, 2025
Mohammed Shami’s reaction after the toss#INVENG #INDvsENG #Mohammed Shami pic.twitter.com/JxPqFZjafi
– RR_Cricket_Book (@RRCrickBook) January 22, 2025
After Rohit Sharma, Gambhir’s next target is MD Shami 💔. pic.twitter.com/4SaEGS3LYx
– Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) January 22, 2025
Mohammed Shami is not playing in your house.
He disappointed everyone.#INVENG— Jay Prakash Rajpoot (@Jayrajpt) January 22, 2025
No Mohammed Shami in the XI. That is shocking. It makes no sense not to play him unless he’s incompetent. #INVENG
— Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) January 22, 2025
Mohammed Shami not in playing XI? It’s news from the Garden of Eden. It’s amazing. The Indian playing XI is surprising us. #INDvsENG #Mohammed Shami #Championship Cup 2025
— Sumit Ghosh (@SumitG71) January 22, 2025
Shami not fit or playing 11 combination?
– Rohit Juglan Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) January 22, 2025
It was a mindless call not to have Mohammed Shami in the playing XI if he was fit. You must try his bowling skills now.
If there are still doubts, it is better for Mohammad Siraj to get his Dubai visa.
— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) January 22, 2025
Mohammed Shami is not in the playing XI for India.
Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav has overcame defeat and opted to end the first T20I against England. Speaking on the toss, Suryakumar said the pitch looked sticky, indicating that the batsmen might struggle to hit the shot.
Let’s look at the bowl first. The wicket seems to be stuck, it will be dew later. It will be more difficult later. The boys were amazing. The preparations were good looking forward to this series. It will be a great competition between both sides. Good headache, we want to stick to our strengths, said Suryakumar.
Regarding the team composition, India chose to include only one front-line pacer in the team. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is the only front-rower in the playing eleven, while Hardik Pandey and Nitish Reddy are the other fast bowling options.
Ravi Bishnoi and Varun Chakraborty are the two frontline pacers in the team while Axar Patel is the other spin bowling option.
India playing T20I 11 for the first time:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Thilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarty
