Shami returns to India squad for England T20Is; Axar appointed as Suryakumar’s deputy

Mohammed Shami set to return to international cricket in India's squad for T20I series against England.

Mohammed Shami will return to international cricket, after a prolonged injury hiatus, next week. The pacer was picked in India’s 15-member squad for the five-match T20I series against England, starting January 22.

The national selection panel met here in person on Saturday to finalise the squad and take stock of the Indian cricket team.

The Hindu understands that Shami, who last featured for India during the 2023 World Cup final, is also set to be picked in the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy.

However, with Shami’s ankle and knee injury having taken much longer than expected to heal, the selectors and the team management will keep a keen eye on Shami’s match fitness during the England white-ball series.

It is understood that the selectors will finalise the squad for the three ODIs against England next week since they are keeping a close watch on the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts and are also awaiting a medical update on Jasprit Bumrah.

Besides Shami’s return, Dhruv Jurel has been preferred as the reserve wicketkeeper, with Rishabh Pant rested along with most of the squad members in Australia.

Allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been the find of an otherwise forgettable season so far, has been preferred in place of Shivam Dube as the second pace-bowling allrounder.