Explained: Why India included Mohammed Shami for England T20s despite pacer not being a regular in the format
FirstpostSenior pacer Mohammed Shami, who last represented India in the 2023 ICC World Cup at home, has represented the Men in Blue in the shortest format just 23 times since making his debut in 2014. Team India ended the suspense surrounding Mohammed Shami’s return to the Indian cricket team on Saturday, with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee including the senior pacer in the squad for the five-match T20I series against England that gets underway later this month. Despite not representing India in the 20-over game since the 10-wicket thrashing against England in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, Shami remains an asset for the Indian team across formats. The team management, however, chooses to rest key players for T20Is, including and especially pace assets such as Bumrah, Shami and Mohammed Siraj, picking them only for major events such as a World Cup or an Asia Cup, if it’s played in the T20 format.