While everyone was in eager anticipation of his return for the Men in Blue, Mohammed Shami has not featured in the playing XI for any of the first two T20Is vs England. Now, captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir have been held responsible for Shami's absence by batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.

Was Mohammed Shami not fit? Wasn't the whole idea of picking Shami for the England T20Is to give him match practice for the Champions Trophy?

The 34-year-old is returning to the national team for the first time since the 2023 Cricket World Cup final after an extended period away from the game.

In a blow to the Indian cricket team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was left out of the Playing XI for the first match of the five-game T20I series against England being held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The decision has dampened hopes of Shami's much-awaited return to international cricket.

Chennai: Unruffled by the lingering fitness concerns surrounding Mohammed Shami, the well-oiled machine that is India's T20 team will be eyeing an encore of its opening game performance against

Shami's comeback was originally scheduled to take place in India's first T20I against England in Kolkata on Wednesday, but the management postponed it.

India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata. Mohammed Shami missed out for India despite the fast bowler being available after more than a year on the sidelines.

After a comprehensive drubbing in Kolkata, ENG will be hopeful of a much-better show to inject some life into the five-match series.

India, buoyant after their first T20I victory against England, looks to continue their dominant run in the second match on Saturday. With the return of pacer Mohammed Shami and a strong spin attack, India aims to capitalize on England's weakness against spin.