Mohammed Shami’s much-awaited return to top-flight cricket did not receive too many supporting signals during the seasoned pacer’s nearly hour-long stint of varying intensity at the India nets in Chennai on Friday.

India and England are all set to lock horns in the 2nd T20I on Saturday, January 25 at the iconic Chepauk stadium in Chennai. All eyes will be on the Indian lineup as fans wait to see if Mohammed Shami will be ready for the match and if Abhishek Sharma can survive his injury scare.

Mohammed Shami was left out of India’s playing XI for the first T20 against England on Wednesday. While he was expected to make the playing XI on Wednesday, Abhishek Sharma said that it was the team management’s call given the conditions.

The question remains whether problem of a swelling left knee after each rigorous session is still causing problems for the veteran pacer.

Unruffled by the lingering fitness concerns surrounding Mohammed Shami, the well-oiled machine that is India's T20 team will be eyeing an encore of its opening game performance against a stunned England in the second game of a five-match series, on Saturday. ( 2nd T20I Key Battles | Full Coverage)

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.

Was Mohammed Shami not fit? Wasn't the whole idea of picking Shami for the England T20Is to give him match practice for the Champions Trophy?

India pacer Mohammed Shami's return to international cricket will have to wait for some more time after he was left out of India's playing XI against England for the 1st T20I on Wednesday (Jan 22). Shami last played for India in ODI World Cup 2023 final on November 19 at home which India lost to Australia.