Was Mohammed Shami not fit? Wasn't the whole idea of picking Shami for the England T20Is to give him match practice for the Champions Trophy?

The 34-year-old is returning to the national team for the first time since the 2023 Cricket World Cup final after an extended period away from the game.

In a blow to the Indian cricket team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was left out of the Playing XI for the first match of the five-game T20I series against England being held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The decision has dampened hopes of Shami's much-awaited return to international cricket.

India won the toss and chose to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata on Wednesday. Mohammed Shami missed out for India despite the fast bowler being available after more than a year on the sidelines.

Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the Indian cricket team will have to wait. The pacer was not picked in the Playing Xi by the Indian cricket team think tank for the first IND vs ENG T20 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. IND vs ENG 1st T20I UPDATE: India have won the toss at Kolkata and have opted to ball first. Follow our IND vs ENG liveblog.

India's Strategy for the 1st T20I: Suryakumar Yadav Opts to Bowl First The first T20I of the five-match series between and England will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22.