Veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has said that Mohammed Shami’s selection is the biggest takeaway from Team India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against England as well. However, he added that the veteran seamer’s inclusion has put all speculations about his fitness to rest as well. Notably, India will play against England in a five-match T20I series, with the first game taking place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “The biggest news is that Mohammed Shami is back. There was a lot of speculation about his fitness. Rohit Sharma was also asked about it many times. He said he shouldn’t be asked and the NCA should release a statement why Mohammed Shami wasn’t there and where he had reached. He was bowling and batting as well. He actually scored runs. He was putting videos on Instagram and X, and we all and even Ravi bhai (Shastri) there were saying that he should come (to Australia), but he wasn’t selected. The selectors were convinced that he wasn’t ready yet. Now that he has been selected, that means he is ready.”
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In the same video, Aakash Chopra also stated that the uncertainties around Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the 2025 Champions Trophy make Mohammed Shami’s presence even more important as well.
“Let’s be honest, if Mohammed Shami wasn’t there in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, we all missed him. There is no update on Bumrah’s fitness and availability yet. We don’t know whether he will be available for the Champions Trophy or not. Even if he is available, we would still need Mohammed Shami because it is becoming very difficult. He (Bumrah) is shouldering the burden alone and eventually, the back gives up, quite literally. So you want Shami to be fit, in form, and to be seen playing. It’s now the time for Shami. These are the five T20Is, play them and take wickets. His future selection is only about form and fitness. There is no question about the player’s pedigree,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
