Watch: Mohammed Shami Bowls At Full Throttle At Eden Gardens Ahead Of First T20I Against England

Mohammed Shami, the veteran Indian pacer made a comeback to India's T20I and Champions Trophy squads. This is the first time, the pacer is playing international cricket after the ODI World Cup in 2023.

Shami who suffering from a knee injury for a long time post the World Cup, did play a few Vijay Hazare matches where he proved his fitness. He eased into his bowling as the team management gave him enough time to recover before finally drafting him into the squad.

Mohammed Shami was picked in India's T20I and Champions Trophy squads. He will also play the ODIs against England. Given that it's a five-match T20I series, Shami might not play all the games. However, he might be kept fit for the ODIs.

The BCCI, on Monday shared a video of Shami bowling at full tilt at the Eden Gardens ahead of the first T20I against England. The team bus reached Eden Gardens at around 4.15 pm on Sunday. Shami met the Indian bowling coach and shared a few exchanges with him.

BCCI Shares Video Of Mohammed Shami's Bowling

The video further shows that around 4.30 pm, Shami starts loosening up and around 5 pm, he marks his run-up. He looked a bit stiff with his first few deliveries but then was quickly back to his groove.

Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar has underlined the importance of Shami's inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad announcement in Mumbai on Saturday.

"Unfortunately, his knee didn't allow him to play four-day or five-day cricket. With regards to white-ball, I think he has played most of the Syed Mushtaq Ali games and some of the Vijay Hazare games.With uncertainty around Jassi (Bumrah) as well, if he (Shami) is fit and playing regularly, the quality and the experience that he brings is invaluable.To get him involved in T20is is precisely because of that. To get him back into international cricket and play under pressure" Agarkar said on Saturday in the press conference.

Shami made a return to Ranji Trophy cricket last November. He was making a steady progress and then played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he picked 11 wickets at nine games at an average of 25.26. He picked up five wickets in three matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well averaging 25.80.