On Saturday (January 11), India announced a 15-player squad for the home T20I series against England. Here are the main talking points from the announcement.
Mohammed Shami returns
The biggest news from the squad announcement was the return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami. He hasn't played international cricket since the ODI World Cup in 2023, but has consistently been one of the star attractions during the ongoing domestic season.
Shami's last T20I was also against England – in the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2022, where he went for 39 runs in three wicketless overs. On the road to recovery, he has played one Ranji Trophy match, nine Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games and three Vijay Hazare Trophy matches so far, with his body steadily making its way back to full fitness.
Read more: How has Mohammed Shami fared for Bengal since his return from injury?
This series is likely to determine what condition Shami will be in for the Champions Trophy, which starts next month. A fit Shami would add another dimension to India's 50-over attack, especially now that Jasprit Bumrah's participation remains in doubt due to the back injury he picked up in Australia.
Axar Patel named vice-captain ahead of Hardik Pandya
In an interesting turn of events, India named all-rounder Axar Patel as the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav. This is the latest development in a revolving door of vice-captaincy in the T20I setup.
Hardik Pandya was vice-captain for the T20 World Cup, but did not take over as skipper once Rohit Sharma made way, as that post went to Surya. For the tour of Sri Lanka after that, Shubman Gill was named vice-captain before nobody was officially named vice-captain for the home series against Bangladesh and tour of South Africa.
Axar's appointment now means Pandya will not have held any formal leadership position in India's T20 setup since the World Cup. For now, he remains skipper of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL where he will captain Surya (India's T20I captain), Rohit Sharma (India's Test and ODI captain) and Jasprit Bumrah (India's Test vice-captain). In the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Pandya had played for Baroda under the captaincy of his elder brother Krunal.
Make of this merry-go-round what you will, but if the position is in such flux it begs the question as to why one needs to be named at all.
Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill rested...but do they make India's first XI?
There was no room for Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill in the squad, the pair most likely being rested ahead of the Champions Trophy, after a taxing Test tour of Australia. Sanju Samson retained the keeping gloves, while Dhruv Jurel was named as the backup. Samson and Abhishek Sharma were the only opening batters named in the squad, suggesting there could yet be space for Gill to squeeze in once he returns.
But do either one of these players make a full-strength Indian team?
