Although the Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has been named in the T20I squad for the ongoing home series against England, he missed out on the series opener at Kolkata on Wednesday (January 22). While the Indian team management isn’t rushing Shami’s international cricket return after more than a year, his present status has been revealed.

Mohammed Shami missed international cricket for more than a year

The 34-year-old Indian pacer Mohammed Shami played his last international match during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia at Ahmedabad. He was out of the game for a year due to an ankle injury, which needed surgery. His recovery took longer than expected, as the right-arm fast bowler missed out on the complete Australia tour, despite returning to domestic cricket.

Since his return to domestic cricket, Shami has shown his outstanding form with the ball. In addition, he played some powerful knocks with the bat. However, Shami has been seen with a heavy strap on his knee, which shows that there is still little threat to his leg status. 

The Indian team management is working regularly with Shami and assuring his smooth return to international cricket, as India have the upcoming challenges of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the England tour of India.

While Shami has been named in the full-member squad for the five-match home T20I series as well as the upcoming home ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it was expected that he would finally return to international cricket in the T20I series opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, he missed out on the Kolkata T20I. 

See Also: "Shami Not 100% Fit": India Star Pacer Weighs in on Pacer's Omission from 1st T20I

Mohammed Shami may miss next two T20Is

According to the latest media reports, Shami looked uncomfortable before the first T20I of the series. Now, RevSportz claims that the right-arm fast bowler is yet to regain his complete fitness. It means that Shami is likely to miss at least the next two T20Is. Chennai and Rajkot will host the next two T20Is on January 25 and 28, respectively.