Mohammed Shami's return to India's T20 team was postponed as the team management decided he wasn't suitable for the Eden Gardens pitch conditions against England. Despite being fit and bowling in the nets,

Shami’s omission from India’s playing XI in the first T20I sparked a debate across social media and news platforms.

Mohammed Shami was left out of India’s playing XI for the first T20 against England on Wednesday. While he was expected to make the playing XI on Wednesday, Abhishek Sharma said that it was the team management’s call given the conditions.

After all the build-up and anticipation, Mohammed Shami didn't play the first T20I against England in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22. Arshdeep Singh was the sole pure pace bowling option for India with Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy for support and three bowlers in the spin department.

The question remains whether problem of a swelling left knee after each rigorous session is still causing problems for the veteran pacer.

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.

India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England’s cricketers in Kolkata

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?

Mohammed Shami set to make his international comeback in India vs England 1st T20I which will take place at Eden Garden, Kolkata.