3 reasons why India picking Mohammed Shami for IND vs ENG T20Is 2025 is the right move

After spending considerable time away from international cricket, India pacer Mohammed Shami is set to return to action. The speedster has been picked in India's T20I squad for the upcoming home series against England.

India will host England for a limited-overs series at home ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The two teams will contest in five T20Is, with the first game to be played on Wednesday, January 22. The T20I series will be followed by a three-match ODI series.

Mohammed Shami, who has been selected in the T20I squad, last played international cricket for India in November 2023 in the ODI World Cup final.

On the domestic front, he most recently played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 quarter-fina; between Haryana and Bengal, where he picked up three wickets. Ahead of the England T20Is, here are three reasons why India picking Shami is the right move:

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#3 Mohammed Shami needs more match practice to get fit ahead of the Champions Trophy

Mohammed Shami last played international cricket for India in November 2023. While the speedster participated in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he definitely needs some match practice on the international level ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Therefore, playing as many games as possible in the home series against England will give Shami ample game time. India will also want Shami to find his form and rhythm ahead of the Champions Trophy.

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#2 Shami can be the leader of the pack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj

After a tough and long Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series, both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested for the T20Is against England. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh are the frontline pacers along with Mohammed Shami.

In the absence of Bumrah and Siraj, Shami is expected to lead the pace attack. The presence of a senior and veteran pacer will benefit India and he can also guide the likes of Harshit and Arshdeep throughout the series.

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#1 An opportunity for the Indian team to monitor Shami's fitness

Mohammed Shami has been on the recovery path after the ODI World Cup in November 2023. There have been enough talks over his fitness, which also prevented him from participating in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series.

While Shami did play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, there was still considerable doubt and confusion over his fitness. This was why the management did not fly him to Australia even mid-way through the BGT 2024-25 series.

Therefore, the T20I series will give the management a first-hand opportunity to monitor his fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy.