Aakash Chopra, a former opening batter for India, has expressed his concerns regarding Mohammed Shami's exclusion from the playing XI in the current T20I series against England. Despite being included in the squad, Shami has yet to participate in any matches, and it remains uncertain whether he will feature in the upcoming T20I in Rajkot.

Shami has been sidelined from international cricket for over a year due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup. He made his return to competitive play last year by participating in domestic cricket for Bengal. However, the reasons for his continued absence from the playing XI remain unclear.

Before the third T20I against England, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Shami is fully fit and has no injury issues. He is also included in India's squad for the three ODIs against England and the Champions Trophy.

Nonetheless, Shami's lack of selection has prompted inquiries directed at both him and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Aakash Chopra raised pertinent questions during a discussion on his YouTube channel, stating, “At some stage, he has to play. This month is about to come to an end. Your T20I series will be more than half done by the end of the day. If he doesn't play, then what is his status? What is his actual status? There is no news from the dressing room and the NCA. What is his status?”

Shami has to play

Aakash Chopra emphasized the necessity for Shami to participate in the upcoming match, expressing concern over his absence in Rajkot. He urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to clarify the current situation regarding the Indian pacer.

"Shami must play. If he remains sidelined, I will be genuinely concerned. He has not been active for 15 months. His readiness for international cricket hinges on his participation," Chopra stated.

He further remarked, "If Shami is not in the lineup, one must question his current status. It is not a matter of bowling combinations preventing his selection. There has been no recent update on his condition. I sincerely hope to see him on the field."

The former Indian opener also noted that footage of Shami competing in domestic tournaments last year holds little relevance now, as he has yet to represent India in the T20I series against England.

"I did observe the footage of him participating in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, those images are now inconsequential. What is his current status? The Champions Trophy is just three weeks away, and someone inactive for 15 months must take the field now," Chopra concluded.

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