Hyderabad: A fit-again senior pacer Mohammad Shahi returned to the Indian team as the BCCI named the squad for the five-match T20I series against England starting from 22nd January in Kolkata.
BCCI Joint Secretary Devajit Saikia announced the squad through a media statement on Saturday evening. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has made all-rounder Axar Patel the vice-captain of the squad, which will be led by Suryakumar Yadav.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the five-match T20 series considering the all-important Champions Trophy, which will be held later in February 2025.
The five-member selection panel has also omitted wicket-keeper batter Rishab Pant and instead chosen Dhruv Jurel as the second stumper. All-rounder Hardik Pandya has been named in the squad.
The pace attack will be led by Shami and he will be supported by Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. There are no surprises in the squad picked for the T20 series against England. The selectors have also reposed their faith in left-handed Tilak Varma, who will play at number three or four.
India’s squad for T20I series against England: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (vc), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk)
