The 34-year-old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has finally returned to the game after more than 14 months. While the Indian captain Sruyakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to field first in Niranjan Shah Stadium (Rajkot) for the third T20I of the five-match series against England, he confirmed the news by announcing his playing XI. 

India are leading the home T20I series by 2-0 after winning the first two matches of the five-match series against England. With one more win, India will secure this home T20I series, while the visitors must win all the remaining three T20Is to win this series, so they can’t afford another defeat in this series. 

Leading the T20I series by 2-0, Indian skipper Sruyakumar Yadav chose to field first once again in the Rajkot T20I. India have made only one change in the playing XI for the Rajkot T20I, where the left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been rested and the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami returns to the game. 

Mohammed Shami previously played an international cricket match during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia at Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. After that match, where India were heartbroken with a six-wicket defeat.

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. 

The ICC Champions Trophy is back after eight years, and after much deliberation, the competition will begin on February 19th in Pakistan and UAE (only for India matches). India, the past edition's finalist, has officially unveiled their lineup after having supporters wait a little longer than expected, and it is a team with a solid mix of youth and experience.

The Indian Cricket Team announced their tournament team yesterday, and some fascinating and alarming details emerged, sparking much debate and discussion among Indian cricket fans. Taking away the positive aspects of the team, we examine the three players to see who may make an impact in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The Indian Cricket Team is all set to give their all in the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, where they will be up against the eight powerhouse teams for an enticing tournament. The selection committee has finalised the 15-member roster, and the coaching staff and captain are responsible for picking the playing XI. India, led by Virat Kohli, competed in the previous tournament's final, which Pakistan won by a landslide. 

However, eight years later, the leadership mantle and responsibility has been given to Rohit Sharma, with India looking to win the prized trophy for the first time since 2013. From experienced veterans like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to developing talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the squad has tremendous talent that can make a significant impact. That said, here we create the strongest probable Playing XI of the Indian Cricket Team for the forthcoming tournament.

India's Strongest Probable Playing XI:

• Rohit Sharma (Captain)
• Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
• Hardik Pandya
• Ravindra Jadeja/ Axar Patel
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Arshdeep Singh
• Mohammed Shami
• Jasprit Bumrah

(Reserve: Harshit Rana)

In the top order, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have performed admirably as an opening duo in ODI cricket. They also have much experience playing together. Rohit and Shubman were India's openers in the previous ODI World Cup. However, there is no doubt about their ability, and Indian supporters will be hoping that the captain-vice captain combo can get back into the running in the flagship event. The two talismanic batters have formed a lethal opening partnership in the last few years. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is yet to make an ODI kickstart, would be the viable backup if the initial top-order falters. 

India's middle order is one of the best positives that can be yielded from the released lineup. It possesses the correct and optimum mix of calibre and exceptional intent to change the course of the game. Virat Kohli was the leading run-scorer in the ODI World Cup 2023. His credentials in 50-over cricket are outstanding, which makes it a no-brainer that he gets the No.3 spot. If Kohli is in top form, India will benefit greatly, thanks to his impeccable experience. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer is returning to the ODI format and has performed admirably in the 2023 World Cup. This will be his first appearance in the Champions Trophy. Shreyas' performance at No. 4 will be crucial. KL Rahul will likely wear the wicketkeeping gloves and be the ideal batter to contribute critical runs. The Karnataka-based player has a terrific record in ODIs at No. 5, making him a perfect choice for giving a robust stability to the batting core.

See Also: 3 Reasons why India cannot win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Hardik Pandya, India's most premium white-ball allrounder, should start at No.6 and give much-needed balance to the team with his power-hitting and reliable medium-pace. Ravindra Jadeja will be the spin-bowling all-rounder, slotted at No.7, known for producing memorable moments for the Indian Cricket Team. Another option that can be taken for No.7 is Axar Patel. Patel's rise in the International space of the game has been noteworthy. The left-arm off-spinner has played a crucial role in the team's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup, and it's not a surprise that he could do the same in the coming games. As it implies, about the conditions, the team can choose one of the all-rounders for a complete arsenal. After recovering from a groin injury, Kuldeep Yadav has resumed bowling at the nets. He will play a key role in the middle overs when he can grab significant wickets and shift the momentum in India's favour.

Mohammed Shami will make his much-anticipated return to international cricket. His recent domestic circuit performance has shown promise, and it will be interesting to watch how his pace and wicket-taking talents will flip the game in his team's favour. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah has been the star bowler for India across all forms. India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy recently, but Bumrah was crowned Player of the Tournament for outstanding performances. If Bumrah stays back due to his injuries, Harshit Rana will replace the lethal pacer. He will lead the bowling assault once more. Arshdeep Singh has been a regular for India in the Twenty20 format, but he has yet to establish himself in the One-Day Internationals, and this should be the right platform for it. The left-arm seamer will provide a fresh dimension to the team.

Overall, this squad combines seasoned veterans and developing talent to provide a balanced and competitive advantage in the competition. However, player fitness and form will determine the final selection as the competition advances.

3 Reasons Why India Picking Mohammed Shami for IND vs ENG T20Is 2025 is the Right Move

Everyone's talking about how India decided to bring Mohammed Shami back into the team for the important T20I games against England in 2025. Even though Shami is of significant consequence in Test cricket, he's getting a shot in the T20 team, demonstrating how versatile and experienced he is. Let's break down the three main reasons why picking Shami could really change things for India:

1. Proven Experience in High-Pressure Situations

Mohammed Shami has taken part in strikingly large tournaments, such as the ICC World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup, which means his knowledge of international cricket is very much of help. The man is extremely familiar with what it means to play high-stress T20 cricket matches around the world, because he's been an unquestionably key player for India's team across different modes of the game.

Shami is the one who can really keep things steady when you have a team full of young, energetic bowlers. Mr. Shami really knows how to step it up when the game is on the line, like in the tense last overs or in tough situations, making him a dependable pick for those tight moments.

His cool-headed approach to big moments, including his ability to bowl in the death overs, can give India a much-needed edge in tight encounters, particularly when playing against a formidable opponent like England.

🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

Mohammad Shami returns as India’s squad for T20I series against England announced.

All The Details 🔽 #TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/jwI8mMBTqY

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2025

2. Effective Death-Bowling Skills

In the last few overs of a T20 cricket game, what happens can really shape the outcome, and that's when Shami really shines as a death bowler. His largest strength is death bowling because he's amazing at bowling yorkers and getting the ball to reverse swing. When he's prepared for the important final moments in the shorter format, Shami's knack for taking wickets and stopping runs from being scored is vitally important.

Facing England's unfathomably strong hitters, Shami's skill in bowling the last overs when the pressure is unexpectedly high could really change the game. He's very fast and precise, and he knows how to pick the perfect spot to bowl. This makes him stand out in T20Is.

ALSO READ:Afghanistan Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Key Players and Insights

3. Complementing India's Bowling Attack

Shami being on the team really boosts the pace bowling part because of how quick India's fast bowlers are. Shami knows a lot from his experience and can come up with sharp and informed plans, especially when games come to a tight finish. This is an important situation alongside the new fast bowlers who add a large amount of energy and speed.

Shami also has the skills to remove important players from the opposing team and stop them from working together, keeping their scores down. He's proficient at changing his strategy during a game to match the needs of the situation, whether he's playing on pitches that favor fast bowling or ones that are better for spinners. In addition, Shami can start bowling at the beginning of the game and keep going during the middle, giving his team effective ways to tackle the game.

In addition, his bold approach and knack for taking critical wickets will definitely help keep the other team's run rate in check.Choosing Mohammed Shami to play in the T20I series against England is a sharp and informed move for India because he's great at handling pressure first-rate in the last parts of a match and he's obtained a large amount of experience. Having Shami on the team helps India get ready for the T20 World Cup by building from the ground up, a team that can adapt and is balanced.With him in the mix, India's bowling is stronger and more stable, making absolutely certain they're ready to take on the best teams in the world. His skills make a major difference in ensuring the team can tackle whatever comes their way in the series.

India’s squad for the five T20I series against England which is going to be held from 22nd January has finally been announced. 

The selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar met T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav regarding the selection at the BCCI office, in Mumbai. 

Reports say selectors are also discussing the Champions Trophy squad, but the final announcement has been postponed for the news week.

After the T20I, England will follow the tour with three ODI series. The match will be treated as India’s last-minute preparation for the Champions Trophy even the squad for the Champions Trophy will be selected based on this series. 

India played the last T20I series against South Africa and opener Sanju Samson scored two centuries in that series so he was selected as the first choice for wicket-keeper batsman. The opening partner for Sanju Samson will be Abhishek Sharma. Tilak Varma has also confirmed his place as he scored consecutive centuries in the same series.

Mohammed Shami is Back

Mohammed Shami who was out of the field after the 2023 ODI World Cup due to injury is picked by the selectors for the T20I.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian squad announcement likely to be delayed

No Bumrah and Siraj 

There is no possibility of Jasprit Bumrah as he got some injury during the Sydney test match against Australia in BGT. Mohammed Siraj is also not be considered and in place of him, Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack along with Mohammed Shami. 

The spin attack will be shared between Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and World Cup-winning spinner Axar Patel. Hardik Pandya is always the first choice for the all-rounder.

A new member has been added and that is Nitish Kumar Reddy who played well in the test match against Australia. Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel, and Washington Sunder will also seen in the T20I squad against England.

The squad is as follows: 

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar

The squad of Champions Trophy 2025 is on their way, the last date given by ICC is 12th January. According to reports, BCCI will also announce the squad on 12th January.

The Champions Trophy will start on 19 February and the last match of the ODI series is on 12 February, against England before that, Team India will have to leave for Dubai. 

In between all this, BCCI has to announce the squad of both the CT and ODI series. The squad for the champions trophy and ODI series against England will be the same as there is no such gap between both. 

According to reports, there is uncertainty about Jasprit Bumrah’s selection due to injury. And now the new report of PTI tells that Mohammed Shami and KL Rahul will also not be in the Champions Trophy squad and there will be toss-up between two all-rounders Jadeja and Axar Patel. 

Also Read: Rohit and Kohli to play England Test series despite a horrid show in BGT: Reports

Why not Shami, KL Rahul and Jadeja?

Mohammed Shami has been away from international cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an ankle injury, then he underwent a knife for the same but had a knee injury after that. 

After that Shami bowled 43 overs in Ranji Trophy in November and played Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. However, due to his knee injury he was ruled out for remaing two test match of the series. 

The last time KL Rahul played in ODI match was against Sri Lanks and the only scored 31 runs 2 innings. 

KL Rahul's selection in the Champions Trophy will be based on his performance in the 3-match ODI series against England. 

There is toss up between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel

Ravindra Jadeja has not performed much in the 2023 ODI World Cup and has not done much in 2024 T20 WC. On the other side, Axar Patel has more contribution than Ravindra Jadeja in the recent WC.

But the kind of fielder Ravindra Jadeja is, he cannot be replaced by any from the Indian Cricket Team as of now.

Now on January 12, it will confirm who will be selected for the Champions Trophy and who remains only till the England ODI series.

Indian Pacer Mohammed Shami won't be added to Team India's squad for the last two Tests due to swelling in his left knee. BCCI released a press release regarding Mohammed Shami's fitness update after being asked by Skipper Rohit Sharma about the fast bowler's progress at the end of the Gabba Test.

The BCCI Medical team has been working closely with Mohammed Shami at the Centre of Excellence on his recovery and rehabilitation after his right heel surgery. Shami has completely recovered from this heel problem.

See Also:- Who is new Indian Test call-up Tanush Kotian?

BCCI Statement On Medical and Fitness Update of Mohammed Shami

Shami bowled 43 overs in the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November. Following this, he played in all nine games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he also engaged in additional bowling sessions on the sidelines to build his bowling volume in order to get ready for the Test matches.

However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period.

Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Shami will continue to undergo targeted strength and conditioning work under the guidance of the medical staff at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and build his bowling loads needed to meet the demands of the longest format of the game. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee.

Uttar Pradesh-born Indian pacer Mohammed Shami will be rested ahead of Bengal's opening Vijay Hazare Trophy fixture against Delhi starting tomorrow in Hyderabad. Shami was originally drafted in the 20-member squad for Bengal for this List-A tournament but will have to wait out of the first game. 

Despite making a resounding return to domestic cricket, Shami is far from regaining his full fitness. Shami's swelling around the ankle region appears to be the main cause of concern for the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. With one eye on a potential return to the India Test squad for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit does not want to take any chances with Shami and wants him to be "200%" fit before he can be considered. 

See also: Watch: Lyon, Cummins heart-warming gesture to Ashwin on his retirement

Shami under the close supervision of NCA

Shami has been under the close eye of the Centre of Excellence under NCA ever since he underwent ankle surgery in London this February. Following his successful ankle surgery, Shami made a cautious return to the domestic arena and scripted some notable performances for his domestic side. But after a few performances, complaints of his knee problems soon came to light thus giving us an indication that the pacer is not fully ready to hit the ground running just yet.  

Speaking at a press conference after the Gabba Test, Rohit threw light on Shami's ongoing struggles with his ankle and indicated that the management will only take a call on his selection once he proves his full fitness. Moreover, he also expects the medical experts from the NCA to weigh in on this matter and provide him with regular updates on Shami's overall fitness.  

"I understand he's playing a lot of cricket back home, but there have been some complaints about his knee as well. So, there is no way we want to take that chance unless we are like, not 100%, 200% sure, we're not going to take any risk. But yeah, like I said in the last press conference, the door is open if those guys at the NCA feel that he is okay to go and recover and play, we'll be happy to have him."

The road ahead for Mohammed Shami

Upon his return, Shami has been performing actively in the domestic circuit making a handful number of appearances for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He was on track to making a comeback in the Bangladesh home test series but aggravated a knee problem while at rehab, which forced the BCCI to err on the side of caution. 

Shami is closely under observation of Nitin Patel, the head of sports science at the Centre of Excellence. Under Patel's leadership, the team has been traveling nationwide to assess his development and keep the management informed of his status.

Should Shami fail to achieve full fitness for the penultimate BGT Test in Melbourne or the final BGT Test commencing on January 3—both of which appear increasingly improbable—his next objective will be to prepare for India's Champions Trophy campaign scheduled for early next year.

We are more than halfway through the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test series with India winning the first, Australia winning the second, and the third ending in a rain-marred draw. Jasprit Bumrah has by far been the most threatening bowler for the hosts to contend with. While he continues to give nightmares to the Australian batters, the rest of the Indian bowling contingent has blown hot and cold in this entire tour so far.

The likes of Rana, Reddy, and Siraj have produced mixed results which do raise a need for another specialist seamer to step in apart from Bumrah. In all fairness, the national side is desperately missing the services of the ace pacer Mohammed Shami who was at the top of his mark in last year's ODI World Cup.

Following his glorious World Cup campaign, Shami had to endure an extended injury layoff which forced him out of major cricketing events including the T20 World Cup. However, the speedster has regained his fitness and made a glorious return to domestic cricket with a four-wicket haul for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.

See also: MCA reveals reason behind Prithvi Shaw's exclusion from Mumbai's Vijay Hazare Trophy Squad

Will Shami make an appearance in the Boxing Day Test?

Of late, there have been growing reports to suggest that Shami could well play a role in the upcoming Boxing Day Test starting on December 26 in Melbourne. However, the claim has not been officially confirmed by any major source till now. Speaking at the press conference, the Indian Test skipper Rohit Sharma provided an update on Shami's availability and his potential participation ahead of the third Test. 

“I think it’s high time somebody from NCA talked about him. That’s our national cricket academy where he is rehabilitating. Those guys are the ones who need to come up and give us some kind of update." 

Shami is currently undergoing rehab at the NCA. Rohit is looking forward to receiving instructions from NCA on how they can move forward with his case.

Rohit does not want to risk it with Shami

Shami has been competing in several domestic games back in India and has had resounding success. But the Indian skipper is reluctant to make him go the extra mile if he is not 100% fit. Shami has reportedly faced issues with his knee and Rohit does not want to take any chances unless he gets detailed clarity about Shami's fitness. 

“But look, I understand he’s playing a lot of cricket back home, but there have been some complaints about his knee as well. The last thing you want is the player coming here and then pulling out in the middle of the game. You know what happens when that kind of thing happens."

Shami's fitness is subject to NCA's clearance and it all depends on the evolving needs of India's pace department in the ongoing BGT series which is currently level at 1-1.