Mohammed Shami returns to international cricket after 14 months

The 34-year-old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has finally returned to the game after more than 14 months. While the Indian captain Sruyakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to field first in Niranjan Shah Stadium (Rajkot) for the third T20I of the five-match series against England, he confirmed the news by announcing his playing XI. 

India are leading the home T20I series by 2-0 after winning the first two matches of the five-match series against England. With one more win, India will secure this home T20I series, while the visitors must win all the remaining three T20Is to win this series, so they can’t afford another defeat in this series. 

Leading the T20I series by 2-0, Indian skipper Sruyakumar Yadav chose to field first once again in the Rajkot T20I. India have made only one change in the playing XI for the Rajkot T20I, where the left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been rested and the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami returns to the game. 

Mohammed Shami previously played an international cricket match during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia at Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. After that match, where India were heartbroken with a six-wicket defeat.