Home
India speedster Mohammed Shami's international cricketing comeback was further delayed after the pacer was not picked in the Suryakumar Yadav-led side's playing XI during the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. India batter Abhishek Sharna flexed his form in Kolkata smashing a hard-hitting knock of 79 runs in just 30 balls after Varun Chakravarthy's three-wicket haul.
Shami was expected to make his comeback against England after 14 months. However, After Suryakumar Yadav announced at the toss about his exclusion from the playing eleven it sparked a lot of speculations about his fitness since he is the part of India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad as well.
Post-match, star of the evening Abhishek clarified that the veteran pacer was not picked because of the conditions of Eden Gardens.
“I feel it’s the decision of the team management and they thought it’s a better option keeping in mind of these conditions," Abhishek said at the post-match press conference.
Shami was last featured during the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He ended the World Cup as the highest wicket-taker picking 24 scalps in seven outings. Despite his remarkable performance, Shami battled through a chronic heel issue, requiring injections to manage the pain. This injury eventually necessitated surgery on his Achilles tendon in February 2024 that forced him out of action since November 2023.
Coming back to 1st T20I, India wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy picked up an incredible 3-23, while left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma smashed a hard-hitting 79 to help India thrash England by seven wickets in the opening match of the five-match T20I series at the Eden Gardens.
After opting to bowl first, India bundled out England for just 132 in 12.5 overs. Arshdeep Singh was unplayable during powerplay as he took the openers quickly to become India’s leading wicket-taker in men’s T20Is. After that, Chakravarthy's spin attack left England dazed in the middle overs. Newly appointed vice-captain Axar Patel and all-rounder Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets in a comprehensive bowling performance for India. For England, captain Jos Buttler was the highest run-getter for visitors scoring 68 runs in44 balls
India chased down the target of 133 inside thirteen overs. Abhishek smashed a 20-ball fifty, the first time he hit a half-century in the shortest format on home soil. The batter smashed five boundaries and eight sixes in his 34-ball stay. His 68 runs out of 79 came from boundaries.
