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The Suryakumar Yadav-led Men in Blue will once again take the field in the third T20I of the five-match series at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Tuesday, January 28. While the Indian cricket team will be entering after registering back-to-back wins in the first and second T20I by seven and two wickets respectively, they will aim to seal the series on Tuesday, with two more matches left.
Ahead of the third T20I in Rajkot, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opened up on star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami after he missed to feature in the XI in the opening two T20Is against England. However, Kotak admitted that Mohammed Shami is fit, but added that a decision on his participation will be decided by Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
Mohammed Shami is fit, confirms batting coach Sitanshu Kotak
Speaking on the eve of the third Test in Rajkot, the Indian batting coach said, "Yes, Shami is fit but something about him playing or not playing, I am not the one who can answer." "There is definitely a plan (for Shami) for coming matches as well and ODIs, but the coach Gautam and obviously Surya will take a call. And fitness, definitely not a problem depending on how they are planning to build this load," Kotak told the reporters.
It is to be noted that Shami last featured in the Indian colours during the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia in November. However, he has been named in the squad for the upcoming ODI series as well as the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, set to be played from February 19, he is yet to make his comeback in the XI.
India’s updated squad for T20I series against England
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Shivam Dube, Ramandeep Singh.