Mohammed Shami has made his much-anticipated return to the national team for the five-match T20 series against England starting January 22.
The seasoned pacer last played in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 and has since been recovering from injuries, including undergoing ankle surgery.
He was recently sidelined from the Test series against Australia due to concerns over a knee issue.
Shami has been in action for Bengal in domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his readiness for the international stage. However, the squad announcement brought unexpected omissions. Rishabh Pant was not selected, with no explanation provided. The wicketkeeping responsibilities will be shared by Dhruv Jurel and Sanju Samson. Additionally, all-rounder Shivam Dube missed out, while rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy earned a place in the lineup.
The pace department features Shami alongside Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, while Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar will lead the spin attack. Suryakumar Yadav takes the reins as captain, with Axar Patel serving as deputy. The batting unit includes Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh.
Shami's selection underlines his importance to the team as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including the Champions Trophy. After a disappointing result in the Border-Gavaskar series, the team aims to regain momentum with a strong performance in this T20 series.
The governing body has reportedly sought an extension to finalize the roster for the Champions Trophy, as adjustments are still being made. The provisional squad can be revised within the allowed timeline to ensure the best possible lineup.
T20 Squad for England Series
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
Vice-Captain: Axar Patel
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel
Batsmen/All-Rounders: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy
Pacers: Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh
Spinners: Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar
