"There was a lot of speculation about his fitness" - Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami's selection for IND vs ENG 2025 T20Is

Aakash Chopra has noted that Mohammed Shami's selection is the biggest takeaway from India's squad for the upcoming T20I series against England. He highlighted that the veteran seamer's inclusion has put all speculations about his fitness to rest.

India will square off against England in a five-match T20I series, with the first game to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22. The selectors recently announced a 15-member Indian squad for the series, with Shami being one of the three specialist seamers.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener pointed out that Shami's return is the biggest talking point.

"The biggest news is that Mohammed Shami is back. There was a lot of speculation about his fitness. Rohit Sharma was also asked about it many times. He said he shouldn't be asked and the NCA should release a statement why Mohammed Shami wasn't there and where he had reached," he said (2:35).

Chopra opined that Shami's selection implies he is ready for international cricket.

"He was bowling and batting as well. He actually scored runs. He was putting videos on Instagram and X, and we all and even Ravi bhai (Shastri) there were saying that he should come (to Australia), but he wasn't selected. The selectors were convinced that he wasn't ready yet. Now that he has been selected, that means he is ready," he observed

However, Chopra acknowledged that Shami's bowling and fitness will be keenly watched. He reasoned that the pressure and workload of international cricket are very different from whatever else you might play.

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"There is no update on Bumrah's fitness and availability yet" - Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami's importance for the 2025 Champions Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah suffered back spasms during the BGT 2024-25 final Test. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra pointed out that the uncertainties around Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the 2025 Champions Trophy make Mohammed Shami's presence even more important.

"Let's be honest, if Mohammed Shami wasn't there in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, we all missed him. There is no update on Bumrah's fitness and availability yet. We don't know whether he will be available for the Champions Trophy or not. Even if he is available, we would still need Mohammed Shami because it is becoming very difficult," he said (3:25).

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Shami would be crucial even if Bumrah is fit and available.

"He (Bumrah) is shouldering the burden alone and eventually, the back gives up, quite literally. So you want Shami to be fit, in form, and to be seen playing. It's now the time for Shami. These are the five T20Is, play them and take wickets. His future selection is only about form and fitness. There is no question about the player's pedigree," Chopra elaborated.

Shami has picked up 24 wickets at an economy rate of 8.94 in 23 T20Is. The Bengal seamer accounted for 11 dismissals at an economy rate of 7.85 in nine games in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.