Mohammed Shami’s return was the biggest news to come out of the BCCI selection meeting for the five-a-side T20I series between India and England starting January 22. Jasprit Bumrah, who led India in the Perth-Sydney border Test, has also been rested for the Gavaskar Trophy ahead of the upcoming series against the Three Lions. But there were some other surprises.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Men in Blue in the five-match series, with spinner Axar Patel deputizing for the 34-year-old. Hardik Pandya is also in the team but is being ignored.
Youngsters Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jhuler retained their place in the 20-over squad. Seamer Harshit Rana, who was in the T20I squad against South Africa but was not included in the playing eleven, is also included in the 15-man squad for the upcoming series.
One of the main talking points will be Shami joining the Men in Blue team. The 34-year-old seamer will wear the blue jersey from 2023 onwards.
Last year, Shami returned to Bengal’s domestic cricket after undergoing ankle surgery and being sidelined for nearly a year. Shami was also part of the Bengal national team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Shami made a successful return to competitive cricket and last played in the ODI World Cup 2023 final. After undergoing ankle surgery and overcoming a series of setbacks, he made his comeback for Bengal in November’s Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.
Mr. Arshdeep Singh, Mr. Harshit Rana and Mr. Mohammed Shami will lead the Indian Seam Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar will be in charge of the spin attack.
The five-match T20I series will begin in Kolkata on January 22. The second and third matches will be held in Chennai and Rajkot on January 25 and 28 respectively. The fourth match of the series will be played in Pune on January 31. Mumbai will host the final match of the T20I series on February 2.
India squad for T20I series against England: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Ku Maal Reddy, Axar Patel (VC), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (WK).
With ANI input
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