Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England. A key highlight of this squad is the return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami after a long injury layoff. Shami last represented India in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup against Australia. He has been gradually making his way back to competitive cricket, featuring in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. While Shami was initially expected to make a comeback during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his return was delayed due to some knee swelling.
The T20I squad largely retains the core group of players who were part of the recent series against South Africa. Despite the availability of senior players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant, the BCCI has decided to maintain continuity with the existing squad. This decision aims to provide key players with much-needed rest and allow them to optimally prepare for the upcoming ODI series against England and the subsequent ICC Champions Trophy.
The Indian squad for the T20I series against England saw several changes compared to the previous series against South Africa. Five players were added to the squad, including the highly anticipated return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami.
Changes in India's T20I squad from South Africa series
Players such as Jitesh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, and Yash Dayal were omitted from the squad. Their replacements include Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Shami, and Washington Sundar.
Here are the players who walked into India's T20I squad
Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Shami, Washington Sundar
Here are the players who faced ouster from India's T20I squad
Jitesh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Avesh Khan, Yash Dayal
Notably, the five-match T20I series against England is set to kick off from January 22 and will conclude on February 2.
India's T20I squad for England series:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (vc), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk).