Mystery around pacer’s exclusion from India’s playing XI Kolkata, Jan 22: Mohammed Shami’s much-anticipated comeback will be further delayed as the Indian pacer was not named in India’s playing eleven for the first T20I against England,

Irfan Pathan supports India's cautious approach with Mohammed Shami's return after a 14-month injury absence, noting Shami's experience to gauge fitne

Piyush Chawla backed India's decision to bench Mohammed Shami, while Suresh Raina reckoned it was a tactical call

Former pace bowling all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes India made the right decision by delaying Mohammed Shami’s international return following a prolonged injury lay-off by not fielding him in the first T20I against England here.

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.

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.

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.

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Shami has been picked for India's white-ball team for the five-match T20I and three-match One-Day International series against England. This series will act as preparation for the Champions Trophy next month, with the team's pace leader, Jasprit Bumrah, still awaiting fitness clearance.

Irfan Pathan said that Mohammed Shami and the Indian team management would make the right call regarding the pacer's return to the playing XI. Shami was absent from the playing lineup for the first T20I against England on January 22.

India have their trump card in the middle overs in Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery spinner has been in tremendous form and has added side spin to his armoury. The battle between Buttler and Varun can be the game-changer in the middle overs.