Mohammed Shami was not picked in the playing XI for the match against England in Kolkata as the team management preferred three spinners as part of combination.

India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England’s cricketers in Kolkata

Piyush Chawla backed India's decision to bench Mohammed Shami, while Suresh Raina reckoned it was a tactical call

Mohammed Shami has been left out of India's playing XI against England in the first game. Arshdeep Singh became the highest wicket-taker for India in T20Is.

Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the Indian cricket team will have to wait. The pacer was not picked in the Playing Xi by the Indian cricket team think tank for the first IND vs ENG T20 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. IND vs ENG 1st T20I UPDATE: India have won the toss at Kolkata and have opted to ball first. Follow our IND vs ENG liveblog.

There was a big surprise as far as India's playing XI is concerned with star pacer Mohammed Shami unable to make the cut.

Mohammed Shami's return to India's T20 team was postponed as the team management decided he wasn't suitable for the Eden Gardens pitch conditions against England. Despite being fit and bowling in the nets,

The Kolkata-based former India captain looked at the positive side over Shami getting more time to recharge his batteries

India left out Mohammed Shami for the first of the five-match T20I series against England on Wednesday, January 22. In a surprising move, the fast bowler was not named in the XI, dampening the hype around a much-awaited return for the senior speedster.

Check out the prestigious list Mohammed Shami could make his entry into during his comeback to international cricket in the first T20I against England, only on CricTracker.

Mohammed Shami will attract all the eyeballs as the India pacer returns to international cricket after 14 months at his home ground. The India vs England 1st T20I starts at 7 PM IST.