"Gambhir and Yadav Urge Team to Ditch Excuses and Play Shami"

2 months ago | 5 Views

When Suryakumar Yadav revealed India's Playing XI for the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday evening, the absence of Mohammed Shami was unexpected. The Indian pacer, who had spent a significant portion of the previous year recovering from an ankle injury, was anticipated to make his long-awaited return to international cricket. However, he remained on the sidelines as the captain opted for only one frontline pacer, Arshdeep Singh, alongside three spinners: Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel.

This decision turned out to be a strategic success, as India triumphed over England by 7 wickets, successfully chasing down a target of 133 runs in just 12.5 overs. Nevertheless, despite the victory and India taking a 1-0 lead in the series, Shami's absence at a venue where he has extensive domestic experience left many fans disappointed. The delay in Shami's return was particularly disheartening for some, including former Indian opener Aakash Chopra, who suggested that the only plausible reason for Shami's exclusion was his incomplete recovery.

"One match has passed, and only four remain. He hasn't participated in the first match, which implies he wasn't fully fit. If he had been fit, there would be no justification for not playing him, regardless of pitch conditions or the desire to utilize spin options," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.

While Suryakumar alluded to team dynamics as the rationale for Shami's omission, Chopra dismissed this explanation. With four matches left in the series and Shami expected to take on significant bowling duties, especially in light of Jasprit Bumrah's uncertain status, Chopra expressed concern over the implications of Shami's absence, particularly with the Champions Trophy on the horizon.

"Please don't give me that. Just cut the excuses and play Shami. I am somewhat worried. With four matches remaining, the schedule is tight, and travel can be taxing, even if it involves chartered flights."

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