Mohammed Shami is back. The pacer has been named in the playing XI for the third T20I against England in Rajkot.

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.

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?

In a blow to the Indian cricket team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was left out of the Playing XI for the first match of the five-game T20I series against England being held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The decision has dampened hopes of Shami's much-awaited return to international cricket.

Mohammed Shami returns to cricket after a year due to injury, contributing to India's T20I series against England. India leads the five-match series 2-0 and Shami replaces Arshdeep Singh in the lineup.

There was a big surprise as far as India's playing XI is concerned with star pacer Mohammed Shami unable to make the cut.

The 34-year-old is returning to the national team for the first time since the 2023 Cricket World Cup final after an extended period away from the game.

Shami was not included in the playing XI for the first T20I in Kolkata. Fans were left disappointed again in the 2nd T20I, as he remained absent from the lineup.

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.

Based on this, it is safe to say that Shami is out of the third T20I against Rajkot, too. Besides, with India winning both their matches in Kolkata and Chennai, it is all but imperative that coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav wouldn't fiddle around with the playing combination too much.

Sanju Samson’s technical weaknesses against express pace along with Rinku Singh’s dip in form and fitness issues will be a concern for India when they take on a resurgent England in the fourth T20 International here on Friday.

Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami made his much-awaited comeback to the Indian side in the third T20I of the five-match series against England in Rajkot.