Mumbai, Jan 24: Former pace bowling all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes India made the right decision by delaying Mohammed Shami’s international return following a prolonged injury lay-off by not fielding him in the first T20I against England here.Shami was not included in India’s playing XI for the first T20I against England here on Wednesday, despite proving his fitness in practice sessions and domestic cricket for Bengal.
All eyes were on Shami’s return after a 14-month injury lay-off, but India opted for a three-pronged spin attack instead, a decision that paid off as they bowled out England for a meagre 132 before cruising to the target in 12.5 overs with seven wickets in hand.
Irfan said Shami is experienced enough to take an honest assessment of his body.
“When you’ve been such a seasoned campaigner and are among India’s top 10 bowlers, you understand your body’s limits well,” said Irfan at a promotional event here.
“Shami always provides honest feedback to the team management, and decisions are made through mutual communication. Recovery at the highest level takes time, especially after playing consistently. I believe he and the team management will make the right call at the right time.”
Having undergone surgery and rehab following an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished as India’s top wicket-taker, Shami had made an impressive return in domestic cricket, representing Bengal across all three formats.
Shami has been chosen in India’s white-ball rubber squad against England consisting five T20Is and three ODIs which will act as a build up to the Champions Trophy next month, where the team’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion is subject to fitness.
Bumrah suffered a back niggle in the gruelling five-match Test series in Australia and could not bowl in the second innings of the fifth Test in Sydney, and in this context Shami’s availability for the Champions Trophy is crucial to India’s prospects.
Irfan also expressed concerns over the lack of a pace-bowling backup in the Champions Trophy-bound squad, suggesting that Mohammed Siraj could have been included given Bumrah’s uncertain fitness.
“You need a backup pacer. Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners isn’t viable. With Bumrah and Shami returning from injuries, it won’t be easy for them straight away,” he observed.
“A pacer like Siraj would have filled that gap. That said, we hope the selectors’ choices perform well, and we should back them,” he added.