IND vs ENG: Mohammed Shami returns to T20Is after 435 days, replaces Arshdeep Singh in Rajkot
Xtra Time Web Desk: Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami made a long-awaited return to international cricket, stepping onto the field in the third T20I against England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot. This marks Shami’s comeback after 435 days, with his last appearance being in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. He replaced the in-form left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been rested for this game.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav, after winning the toss, opted to field first, highlighting the favorable pitch conditions. "We will bowl first, looks nice and hard, don’t think it will change later as well. Rajkot has always been a good track, sure it will be a sporting one," Suryakumar said. He also lauded Tilak Varma for his performance in the previous game and added, "Arshdeep is resting, Shami comes in."
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India currently leads the five-match series 2-0, having secured wins in the first two matches. The Kolkata opener was a dominant seven-wicket victory, followed by a thrilling two-wicket triumph in Chennai.
Shami’s return comes after a challenging period that included an ankle surgery and a subsequent left knee issue that kept him out of action for over a year. Ahead of the match, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed Shami's fitness and stated that his participation in the series was a collective decision by captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
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Meanwhile, England fielded an unchanged XI, with skipper Jos Buttler looking to stage a comeback after two successive defeats.
Playing XI:
India: Sanju Samson (w), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Dhruv Jurel, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy.
England: Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith (w), Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
India will look to seal the series in Rajkot, while England hopes to keep the contest alive with a win.
