Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned Mohammed Shami's fitness after the veteran pacer was left out of India's playing XI for the first T20I against England.

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,

While speaking on Mohammed Shami's absence after the game, India opener Abhishek Sharma said that such a call would have been made by the team management keeping the playing conditions in mind.

India won easily by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, putting them ahead with a 1-0 lead. The hosts would undoubtedly like to see Shami play, but as of right now, his inclusion in the starting XI will depend on additional fitness testing.

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.

India left out Mohammed Shami for the first of the five-match T20I series against England on Wednesday, January 22. In a surprising move, the fast bowler was not named in the XI, dampening the hype around a much-awaited return for the senior speedster.

Cricket Association of Bengal CAB President Snehasish Ganguly has expressed his enthusiasm for Mohammed Shami return to the field Shami who has made a rem

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.

Following a one-sided series opener, India and England will lock horns in the 2nd T20I at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on January 25 (Saturday). The hosts took a 1-0 lead in Kolkata by chasing down 133 inside 13 overs. Meanwhile, the Jos Buttler -led side eyes a strong comeback at Chepauk.

India's T20 team aims to replicate their strong opening performance against England in the second match in Chennai. While Mohammed Shami's participati