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.

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,

Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the Indian cricket team will have to wait. The pacer was not picked in the Playing Xi by the Indian cricket team think tank for the first IND vs ENG T20 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. IND vs ENG 1st T20I UPDATE: India have won the toss at Kolkata and have opted to ball first. Follow our IND vs ENG liveblog.

After adding him to the squad for the T20I series against England, the Indian team management decided not to pick Mohammed Shami in the playing XI for the series opener in Kolkata.

With his injury struggles behind him, Shami is determined to contribute to India’s success in the T20I series against England. His experiences during rehabilitation have strengthened him both mentally and physically, and he is ready to make his mark on the international stage once again.

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

India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to bat against England in the first T20I at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. But cricket fans will have to wait to see the return of pacer Mohammed Shami as India have gone with three spinners in Axar Patel,

"When you are scoring runs and taking wickets, everyone is with you. But the real test is to realise who is with you during tough times. I waited for an entire year and I worked very hard. There was a sense of fear even while running," Shami said.

India (IND) vs England (ENG), 1st T20I Live Score and Updates from Kolkata: India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to bowl first in the series-opening T20I against England. India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Mohammed Shami,

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,