Mohammed Shami has become a wildcard entry into the T20I squad after several former cricketers backed India’s experienced campaigner over out-of-form Avesh Khan. It was earlier reported that the selectors are not considering Shami for the T20 format and want his services for ODIs and Test format. However, just a month ahead of T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, Shami has made a comeback.
Shami has been picked in India’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad as one of the three standby players. Before the mega event, he will be a part of India's T20I squad against Australia and South Africa. The Rohit Sharma-led India are set to play three-T20I series each against South Africa and Australia before flying for the mega event.
Shami played his last T20I match last year in the T20 World Cup 2021 where India got knocked out early. However, he knocked on selectors’ doors after exceptional performances for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 winners Gujarat Titans (GT). Shami was Titans’ highest wicket-taker with 20 scalps in the tournament. He turned out to be their wicket-taking option with the new ball.
“I think the selection could have been better, especially for the fast bowlers. You know the conditions here. There’s not much in it for the spinner. I was quite surprised that you came here with just four fast bowlers (including Hardik). You needed that extra one… someone like Mohammed Shami sitting at home and cooling his heels baffles me. After the IPL he had, for him not to be able to make the cut is… Obviously, I’m seeing something different,” former India head coach Ravi Shastri had said after Avesh fell ill during recently concluded Asia Cup 2022.
India Squad for Australia T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd. Shami, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
India squad for South Africa T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohd. Shami, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.
