Mystery around pacer’s exclusion from India’s playing XI Kolkata, Jan 22: Mohammed Shami’s much-anticipated comeback will be further delayed as the Indian pacer was not named in India’s playing eleven for the first T20I against England,

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.

Mohammed Shami misses out on Team India's playing XI for the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens due to fitness concerns over his left knee.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is set to return to the national fold with the three-match T20I series against England, for the first time since the World Cup 2023 final. Shami had a lengthy first session with the Indian team in 14 months as he bowled his heart out.

There was a big surprise as far as India's playing XI is concerned with star pacer Mohammed Shami unable to make the cut.

KOLKATA, India (AP) — India won the toss and chose to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata on Wednesday. Mohammed Shami missed out for India despite the fast bowler being available after more than a year on the sidelines. India is the reigning world champion at the T20 format.

Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the Indian cricket team will have to wait. The pacer was not picked in the Playing Xi by the Indian cricket team think tank for the first IND vs ENG T20 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. IND vs ENG 1st T20I UPDATE: India have won the toss at Kolkata and have opted to ball first. Follow our IND vs ENG liveblog.

The spotlight will be firmly on Mohammed Shami as the Indian team contemplates his inclusion in the playing XI.

Shami has been picked for India's white-ball team for the five-match T20I and three-match One-Day International series against England. This series will act as preparation for the Champions Trophy next month, with the team's pace leader, Jasprit Bumrah, still awaiting fitness clearance.

Irfan Pathan said that Mohammed Shami and the Indian team management will make the right call regarding the pacer's return to the playing XI. Shami was absent from the playing lineup for the first T20I against England on January 22.

India's T20 prowess is way ahead of what they have shown in red-ball cricket, said veteran journalist and THE WEEK Consulting Editor, Sports, Ayaz Memon, after the Men in Blue won the first T20I again