Mohammed Shami unlikely to feature in World T20 opener against New Zealand

India have been unanimously pipped to be favourites to win the World T20 being played at home from 15 March onwards, but there is one question still lingering over how the Men in Blue will approach the world event. There continue to be question marks over ace pacer Mohammed Shami’s availability, though he is part of the 15-man squad.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to be with the India team as an unofficial 16th member, while Shami is making his way back to match fitness. He had figures of 2/30 and 2/37 to show from the two warm-up matches against West Indies and South Africa, and this might not be enough for him to earn his place in the XI, as hinted by Virat Kohli in a press conference yesterday.

“It’s very difficult to try and change something which has won us so many games,” said Kohli. India are on a great run of form in T20s this year, spearheaded by pace duo Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah.

Shami was the joint highest wicket-taker at the ICC World Cup last year, but has been involved in very little cricket since then. He had a prolonged recovery phase from a knee surgery, after which his comeback was cut short with a hamstring injury in January this year. In the last year, Shami has played only 4 matches for Bengal, apart from the two warm-up matches last week.

Shami has attacked batsmen everywhere he has played: Kohli

Kohli sounded pleased with Shami’s return to availability, but suggested that he would have to earn his place in the playing XI by proving his worth over Nehra and Bumrah.

He said, “It’s up to the captain and the management to sit down and figure out what needs to be done. We are just glad to have Shami back in the squad. Not meaning that because he is come back, we have to change the combination too much. It might or might not.”

While maintaining that Shami’s place was not assured, Kohli praised his ability to pick up wickets, saying that he has been the one Indian bowler in recent times who has been able to swing the ball both ways and pick up wickets prolifically.

“When he was playing regularly for the team he has done really well for us. He is one guy who has got us wickets with the new ball and who has attacked the batsmen everywhere he played. Bowlers like that is always a plus in the squad. Having him back and getting stronger for the Indian cricket team is a very good sign,” he added.

To those wondering if Shami might play vs NZ in Nagpur, I firmly believe there's no chance of him breaking into a well settled team #WT20

— Mohammad Kaif (@KaifSays) March 14, 2016