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,

Arshdeep Singh has downplayed fitness concerns surrounding Mohammed Shami after the senior pacer was left out of India's XI for the first T20I against England in Kolkata. Shami, despite wearing heavy strapping on his left knee, bowled at full intensity during practice sessions.

All eyes were on Shami's return after a 14-month injury lay-off, but India opted for a three-pronged spin attack instead, a decision that paid off as they bowled out England for a meagre 132 before cruising to the target in 12.5 overs with seven wickets in hand.

India pacer Arshdeep Singh downplayed any fresh injury concerns for Mohammed Shami after the veteran bowler was not named in the playing XI eleven for the first T20I against England in Kolkata.

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.

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.

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.

Was Mohammed Shami not fit? Wasn't the whole idea of picking Shami for the England T20Is to give him match practice for the Champions Trophy?

Mohammed Shami was not picked in the playing XI for the match against England in Kolkata as the team management preferred three spinners as part of combination.

After all the build-up and anticipation, Mohammed Shami didn't play the first T20I against England in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22. Arshdeep Singh was the sole pure pace bowling option for India with Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy for support and three bowlers in the spin department.

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