India’s veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s wait to don the blue jersey once again seems to be getting longer. After being sidelined from international cricket for nearly 14 months due to an ankle injury and knee swelling, Shami was included in India’s squad for the T20 series against England. However, he did not play in the first match, and reports suggest that his return might take longer, ruling him out of the second T20 as well.
Unlikely to Play the Second T20
A report claims that Shami might miss the second T20 match, which is set to take place on Saturday, January 25, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It is believed that he is still not fully fit. His absence from the first T20 had already raised concerns about his fitness, and now, this report further strengthens those speculations.
After the first T20 in Kolkata, young batter Abhishek Sharma mentioned that Shami was completely fit, but the decision to leave him out was made by the team management. However, before the match, Shami was reportedly seen struggling with his run-up during the warm-up session. Former leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who was commentating on the match, also pointed out that Shami seemed to be limping slightly. If he is indeed not fully fit, it could be a bigger concern for Team India ahead of the Champions Trophy rather than just this T20 series.
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The Possible Reasons Behind His Absence
The real reason behind Shami’s absence is known only to him and the Indian team management. However, since this is a five-match series, it is possible that the management does not want to rush him back into action. In the first T20, India did not require an extra pacer, as the team relied heavily on their three spinners, who played a crucial role in the match. A similar strategy could be followed in spin-friendly conditions in Chennai, making Shami’s inclusion less likely.
Additionally, there is a possibility that the team wants to give him more rest with the Champions Trophy in mind. Whether Shami will return later in the series remains uncertain, but for now, his comeback to international cricket continues to be delayed.