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.

Team India have left out Mohammed Shami from the Playing XI for the 1st T20I against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. The Surya Kumar Yadav-led India won the toss and elected to bowl. 'A good headache (playing XI selection), we want to stick to our strengths,' Yadav said at the toss.

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.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav decided to bowl first in the first T20I against England, explaining the choice to omit Mohammed Shami despite his return after a lengthy injury break. Shami last played for India in November 2023,

Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami has not been picked for India's first T20I against England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The hosts named one specialist pacer in Arshdeep Singh, while Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy can assist him whenever required.

Check out the prestigious list Mohammed Shami could make his entry into during his comeback to international cricket in the first T20I against England, only on CricTracker.

Mohammed Shami brings class and experience with him and naturally, the Indian team management is happy with his return.

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

Mohammed Shami's bowling was the focus of India's first training session in Kolkata ahead of their T20I series against England that gets underway on January 22. Shami, who has not played international cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final,

However, before the thrilling T20I series, the squad for the coveted Champions Trophy was announced which featured some players marking their return after injury. One of them was none other than the

BCCI posted a special video of Mohammed Shami's first practice session with the Indian cricket team to celebrate the veteran pacer's return.