The biggest mystery in Indian cricket at the moment – bigger than Rohit Sharma's future, Virat Kohli's form, and Jasprit Bumrah's injury – is Mohammed Shami's absence from India's Playing XI. The India pacer surprisingly missed not just the series opener in Kolkata but also the 2nd game in Chennai,

Mohammed Shami's return to Team India for the T20I series against England was delayed as he was not included in the playing eleven for the first match

Shami was not included in the playing XI for the first T20I in Kolkata. Fans were left disappointed again in the 2nd T20I, as he remained absent from the lineup.

Was Mohammed Shami not fit? Wasn't the whole idea of picking Shami for the England T20Is to give him match practice for the Champions Trophy?

Check the reason behind Mohammed Shami's absence in the 1st T20I against England 2025. Get all the details about why he won't be playing in the crucial match.

KOLKATA, India (AP) — India won the toss and chose to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata on Wednesday. Mohammed Shami missed out for India despite the fast bowler being available after more than a year on the sidelines. India is the reigning world champion at the T20 format.

Team India kicked off a five-match T20I series against England with a seven-wicket win in the opening match at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22. With a target of 133 set by Jos Buttler’s side,