India wins first T20I against England, but Shami’s omission sparks questions

India opened their T20I series against England with a solid 7-wicket win at Eden Gardens, chasing down England's 159/8 with nine balls to spare. Abhishek Sharma stole the show with an all-round performance, but much of the buzz surrounded Mohammed Shami’s absence from the playing XI.

The veteran pacer, eyeing a return to international cricket after 14 months, was expected to feature in the match. However, skipper Suryakumar Yadav revealed at the toss that Shami was left out due to the team’s strategy and the conditions at Eden Gardens. “It’s always about the combinations,” Abhishek Sharma later said, explaining the decision to opt for three spinners and just one frontline pacer.

But Shami’s omission has raised eyebrows. While team management emphasized it was purely tactical, questions linger about the 34-year-old pacer’s fitness. Shami was seen bowling at full throttle in the nets, and though his knee remained heavily strapped, he appeared ready to go. Yet, his cautious movements when heading back to the dressing room didn’t go unnoticed.

Shami himself had spoken about his eagerness to return, sharing how hard he had worked through domestic tournaments to prove his fitness. “The hunger to play for the country never ends,” he said earlier this week, stressing the importance of making every opportunity count.

While India’s new T20 setup, largely driven by Gautam Gambhir’s condition-specific approach, has delivered results, not including Shami for a crucial match sparked debates about whether his skills were undervalued against England’s "Bazball" approach.

As India looks to refine its lineup ahead of the Champions Trophy, Shami’s availability will be closely watched, especially with concerns over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness. For now, fans will have to wait to see the seasoned pacer back in action.