Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly has expressed his excitement over Mohammed Shami’s comeback ahead of the first T20I match against England, set to take place on January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Shami, who returns to international cricket after a year-long recovery from an ankle injury, has been in impressive form in domestic cricket for Bengal. Ganguly lauded Shami’s efforts, highlighting his performances in recent matches.
“The most important thing is the whole Kolkata crowd will be watching Mohammed Shami,” Ganguly told media. “He came back after a year and bowled very well for Bengal. I was observing his bowling, and he seems to be in great shape. He looks like the old Mohammed Shami—fit and raring to go.”
Shami’s Road to Recovery
Shami’s journey back to fitness has been remarkable. After undergoing ankle surgery following the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Shami returned to competitive cricket in November, representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy against Madhya Pradesh. He has since delivered strong performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his readiness for international cricket.
With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the series, Shami is expected to lead the Indian pace attack against England.
Anticipation for Shami’s Performance
Ganguly emphasized the excitement of Kolkata fans to witness Shami in action at Eden Gardens.
“Overall, it will be a very good match,” Ganguly added, expressing confidence in Shami’s ability to shine.
India’s Squad for the T20I Series Against England
- Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
- Vice-Captain: Axar Patel
- Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel
- Players: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar
The five-match T20I series promises to be an exciting contest, with the opener at Eden Gardens expected to draw a packed crowd eager to see Shami’s much-anticipated return to the field.