Mohammed Shami Set for International Return in England Series

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Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his long-awaited return to the national team after an extended absence. The 33-year-old hasn’t played for India since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, though he has been active in domestic cricket during this period.

Despite his consistent form at the domestic level, Shami’s national team recall has been delayed. However, recent reports suggest that Shami is on track to rejoin the squad for the upcoming white-ball series against England.

The National Cricket Academy (NCA) has been closely monitoring his recovery after a knee surgery, and while he faced a brief setback with minor swelling in his knee, which kept him out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shami is now poised to make his return to international cricket.

Currently, Mohammed Shami is representing Bengal in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy and is set to play in their next match against Haryana. Additionally, members of the BCCI selection committee are expected to be present at the game to assess Shami’s performance as part of his ongoing national team comeback.

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Mohammed Shami to Play in England Series

The upcoming series between India and England will see both teams face off in five T20I matches, followed by three ODIs. The T20Is are scheduled for January 22, 25, 28, 31, and February 2, with the games taking place in Kolkata, Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai, respectively. The three ODIs will follow on February 6, 9, and 12, and will be held in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad.

As Shami gears up for his potential return, there is also speculation surrounding the inclusion of Jasprit Bumrah. The star pacer is awaiting medical clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after sustaining a back injury during the final Test of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Meanwhile, with Akash Deep ruled out for a month, India’s selection strategy for the fast bowling unit will likely be a careful one as they head into this crucial series.