Mohammed Shami in line to return for England ODIs, Akash Deep ruled out of action for 1 month - Reports

Star Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami is expected to be back in India's squad for the ODI series against England next month. Meanwhile, another Indian pacer Akash Deep will miss the home series against England due to injury.

According to Cricbuzz, the selection committee will likely attend the knockout matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Baroda, where Shami will play for the Bengal team. Shami underwent surgery on his right heel in 2024 and was expected to be back for Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but knee swelling ruled him out of the Test series.

If Mohammed Shami proves his fitness and impresses the selectors, he will be in consideration for the home ODI series against England as well as the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 mega event in Pakistan and UAE.

On the other hand, Akash Deep will not be available for selection for the T20I series against England. While the pacer has never played a T20I for India before, he could have been in line for selection because India's first-choice pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are likely to be rested.

Deep missed the fifth Test of the recently concluded BGT series due to back pain. He will report to the National Cricket Academy and stay out of action for approximately one month.

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Mohammed Shami has played only 2 matches in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024/25 so far

It is pertinent to note that Mohammed Shami has played only two games for Bengal in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament. In those two matches, Shami has scalped two wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.25.

Bengal will play in the preliminary quarterfinal against Haryana on January 9 in Baroda. All eyes will be on Shami when he bowls against the likes of Ankit Kumar and Himanshu Rana in the do-or-die game for Bengal.