Mohammed Shami made a return into India's T20I side as he was picked for the T20I series against England. He has also been picked in India's Champions Trophy squad. However Shami not playing the first two games came as a major surprise for the Indian fans.
The Indian think tank coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav went in with three spinners for the first two games in Kolkata and Chennai. They played with just one frontline seamer in Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya as the second seam option.
There Is Definitely A Plan For Mohammed Shami: Sitanshu Kotak
Meanwhile, ahead of the third T20I in Rajkot, Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak gave an insight as to whether Shami will be included in the playing XI. He said that Shami's inclusion depends completely upon the coach and the captain and what combination they want to go ahead with.
"Yes, Shami is fit but something about him playing or not playing, I am not the one who can answer. "There is definitely a plan (for Shami) for coming matches as well and One-dayers, but the coach Gautam and obviously Surya will take a call. And fitness, definitely not a problem depending on how they are planning to build this load," Kotak said in the pre-match press conference.
Shami last played for India in the ODI World Cup 2023. He then had an ankle surgery in February last year. It was expected that he would be included in India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, he was not included.
Shami also played in the Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy matches to prove his fitness and is believed to be completely fit. His return is much-expected and he has also been practicing regularly with the Indian side.
The management is perhaps being extra careful with the Indian pacer who has just recovered from injury. With Jasprit Bumrah not a guaranteed selection in the Champions Trophy for India, the management is perhaps not risking playing Shami at this point. However, with India 2-0 up in the T20I series, the Rajkot T20I gives Shami a good opportunity to make a comeback.
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