Why was Shami not included in India’s playing 11? Here’s what you need to know

Shami’s much-awaited comeback was again postponed as the pacer was not included in India’s eleven in the first T20I against England on Wednesday night since the team management believed he was unlikely to fit in considering the nature of the Eden Gardens track.

Abhishek Sharma blasted a stunning 34-ball-79 in an exhibition of power-hitting alongside a disciplined bowling performance as India overpowered England in Kolkata by seven wickets.

Shami’s return to international cricket after a gap of 14 months was in everybody’s eye, but when captain Suryakumar Yadav announced Shami’s exclusion from the playing eleven at the toss, it generated speculation on whether the national selectors were confident about his fitness.

After the match, Abhishek explained that Shami was not picked by the team management due to the condition and combinations that would suit the home team.

“I feel it’s the decision of the team management, and they thought it was the best option keeping in mind these conditions,” Abhishek explained at the post-match press conference.

The new-look Indian T20I side bears the imprint of Gautam Gambhir, and it has so far served its purpose exceptionally by concentrating on condition-specific roles rather than conforming to star culture.

To omit a bowler of Shami’s credentials, given the spinners on offer and striking with one frontline pacer, was ‘GamBall’against ‘Bazball’ and there are no prizes for guessing which philosophy came out on top.

In his 11 years-long international career till now, T20Is haven’t found Shami at his best, with 23 games, 24 wickets at an economy close to nine runs an over.

Gambhir didn’t want to return a veteran from a 14-month hiatus and throw him into those conditions where length could potentially provide fodder for Jos Buttler and company.

It is ironic that an apparently fit 34-year-old pacer bowled for almost half an hour in the side nets with the sole purpose of singling out the stumps even as Suryakumar announced the playing XI.

While Abhishek from the junior most in the national line-up spoke about combinations, the question remains concerning the swelling left knee tormenting the veteran pacer on every rigorous day.