India’s star pacer, Mohammed Shami, did not make the playing XI for the first T20I against England. India won by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. Shami, who last played for India in November 2023, was scheduled to return to the team after 14 months. However, he was sidelined for the series opener, raising questions over whether the BCCI selectors are satisfied with his injury.
However, experienced spinner Piyush Chawla supported the decision to sideline Shami for the encounter. Chawla believes that the team management made the correct decision not to risk Shami, pointing out that the latter is still limping slightly while bowling. He mentioned that the ultimate goal is to have Shami ready for the Champions Trophy. Based on his 11-year international career, T20Is have not been his strongest fit.
Mohammed Shami has played 23 of them, taking 24 wickets and an economy rate of over nine runs per over. As a result, Gambhir didn’t want to slot in a veteran returning from a 14-month forced international layoff into settings where he would have considered Varun Chakravarthy took 3-23, while left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma hammered 79 to give India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Mohammed Shami’s Form Is More Concerning for India
Everything went right for India, starting with their decision to bowl first and bowling England out for 132. Arshdeep Singh dispatched the openers quickly to become India’s top wicket-taker in men’s T20Is. Following that, Chakaravarthy spun a fantastic spin web that left England stunned in the middle overs. Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya each took two wickets as India’s bowling attack was comprehensive.
England’s captain Jos Buttler battled alone to score 68 off 44 balls. In reply, India chased down 133 in 13 overs, owing to Abhishek’s 20-ball fifty, his maiden half-century in the shortest format at home. Chawla said, “If you see the run-up, he is still limping a bit. The main target should be Champions Trophy, and getting fit for that. Lots of matches in this series, even if he misses a few games, that is okay.”
