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?

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.

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.

Mohammed Shami's ex-wife Hasin Jahan posted a video on social media ahead of the Team India pacer's return to international cricket in first T20 against England.

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.

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar has underlined the importance of Shami's inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad annoucement in Mumbai on Saturday

Chennai: Unruffled by the lingering fitness concerns surrounding Mohammed Shami, the well-oiled machine that is India's T20 team will be eyeing an encore of its opening game performance against

Mohammed Shami returned to the Indian playing XI after 14 months. Arshdeep Singh has been rested. The India vs England 3rd T20I starts at 7 PM IST.

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.

The last time Shami played for India was during the ODI World Cup final in 2023 against Australia in a losing cause. On the other hand, England captain Jos Buttler revealed that Phill Salt won't be keeping wickets due to a little calf strain. Jamie Smith will keep wickets for England.

The five-match series between India and England was expected to be a high-scoring one. A battle of sixes if you will. But three games in, this hasn't been the case, but the series has by no means been devoid of thrills.