• Mohammed Shami returns to India's T20 squad after more than a year out due to injury.
• Jasprit Bumrah will miss the T20 series against England following back spasms.
• India will host England for five T20 matches, starting January 22.
• Shami's return is significant ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy next month.
• Axar Patel has been named vice-captain for the T20 series.

In a significant development for the Indian cricket team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been included in the squad for the upcoming T20 international series against England, marking his long-awaited return after more than a year sidelined by injury. The series, set to commence on January 22 in Kolkata, will feature five matches across various venues including Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai.

Shami, who played his last game for India during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, had undergone surgery for an ankle injury and subsequently missed the entirety of India's international fixtures in 2024. His absence was keenly felt during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Jasprit Bumrah struggled without adequate support, contributing to India's 3-1 loss to Australia. Bumrah has been ruled out of the series due to back spasms sustained during the final Test in Australia, underlining his uncertain fitness ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy next month, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has remained tight-lipped on the specifics of his condition (BBC).

Alongside Shami's comeback, spin all-rounder Axar Patel has been named as India's vice-captain for the first time, reflecting the team's ongoing strategic adjustments. The T20 squad will be captained by Suryakumar Yadav while standout wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant continues to be omitted, having last featured during the 2024 T20 World Cup victory. Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel will handle wicketkeeping duties in his absence (Al Jazeera).

As India prepares for this pivotal series against England, fans and analysts alike will keenly observe the impact of Shami's return on the team's performance, offering a strategic boost ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy.