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

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 misses out on Team India's playing XI for the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens due to fitness concerns over his left knee.

Mohammed Shami will attract all the eyeballs as the India pacer returns to international cricket after 14 months at his home ground. The India vs England 1st T20I starts at 7 PM IST.

India pacer Mohammed Shami's return to international cricket will have to wait for some more time after he was left out of India's playing XI against England for the 1st T20I on Wednesday (Jan 22). Shami last played for India in ODI World Cup 2023 final on November 19 at home which India lost to Australia.

Mohammed Shami was not picked in the playing XI for the match against England in Kolkata as the team management preferred three spinners as part of combination.

Why is Mohammed Shami not playing 1st T20I against England 2025? (Source: BCCI/twitter/X) India's Strategy for the 1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav Opts to Bowl First The first T20I of the five-match series between and England will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday,

Mohammed Shami will play his first international match in the first T20I against England since ODI World Cup 2023 final

Fit-again pacer Mohammed Shami's comeback would be keenly watched when the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian T20 team takes on an evenly-matched England in a five-match series starting here on Wednesday, ai