In a blow to the Indian cricket team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was left out of the Playing XI for the first match of the five-game T20I series against England being held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The decision has dampened hopes of Shami's much-awaited return to international cricket.

The 34-year-old is returning to the national team for the first time since the 2023 Cricket World Cup final after an extended period away from the game.

The T20Is against England serve as the perfect opportunity for Varun Chakravarthy to further solidify his chances of making it as one of the lead spinners for the T20 World Cup squad next year. The mystery spinner's variations in Kolkata could prove to be quite a handful.

England Cricket Board (ECB) announced England's playing XI for the first T20I against England which will take place in Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

Philip Salt and Jos Buttler.(Photo Source: England Cricket) captain Jos Buttler has announced their Playing XI for the first T20I against India, which will be played on Wednesday, January 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Fast bowler Mark Wood will play for the first time since August in England's first T20 against India in Kolkata on Wednesday.