India’s experienced pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his much-anticipated return to international cricket as he has been included in the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England. Shami’s last appearance for India came during the ODI World Cup in 2023. Since then, he has been recovering from an ankle injury that required surgery, followed by another injury setback.
Shami’s Comeback Journey
Shami’s road to recovery began with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he made his competitive return to cricket. He further proved his fitness and form while representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Despite being sidelined during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to the need for “controlled exposure to bowling loads,” as stated by the BCCI, Shami has now fully recovered and is ready to bolster India’s pace attack.
The Indian pace unit for the series also includes Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who retain their spots after their recent performances.
Axar Patel Earns Vice-Captaincy Role
All-rounder Axar Patel has been named vice-captain for the series, marking a significant milestone in his career. He will play a crucial role in the leadership group alongside skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Key Absences and Additions
India’s star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant remains unavailable for selection. In his absence, Sanju Samson is expected to don the gloves as the first-choice wicketkeeper, with Dhruv Jurel serving as his backup. Samson’s recent exploits, including a century as an opener in South Africa, have solidified his place in the squad.
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed with a century during his maiden Test series in Australia, has also been included. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who delivered a stellar performance in the previous T20I series against South Africa, retains his spot alongside Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar.
India’s Core Batting Unit
Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead a batting lineup featuring a mix of experience and youth. Key batters like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh form the backbone of the side, with expectations running high for their contributions.
**India’s Squad for the T20I Series
