The most puzzling situation in Indian cricket right now isn’t about Rohit Sharma’s future, Virat Kohli’s form, or Jasprit Bumrah’s recovery. It’s Mohammed Shami’s absence from India’s Playing XI. Shami hasn’t featured in either of the T20 games against Kolkata and Chennai, sparking speculation about his readiness or role in the team. However, the reality is that Shami is fully fit and ready, with his absence being a strategic decision by the team management.

“Shami has lost 2 kgs from the weight he had gained during his injury recovery. He is now bowling at full intensity. While his role in T20 matches may not be as prominent, he is expected to be fully ready when the ODIs begin,” according to a report by the Times of India.

With uncertainty looming over Bumrah’s availability for the Champions Trophy, the Indian management is carefully managing Shami’s workload. Shami, who has worked hard to regain his fitness after an extended recovery from injury, is being preserved for the ODIs. His long-term role in the team is clear, and ensuring he stays fit for crucial tournaments has become the priority.

As a result, Shami is unlikely to play in the third T20I in Rajkot. India’s wins in Kolkata and Chennai have already secured the series, making it unlikely that coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav will change the winning combination. The plan to limit Shami’s participation in T20Is ensures he avoids the kind of setbacks Bumrah faced and allows him to remain in peak condition for the upcoming ODIs.

Shami, India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup and a key bowler in 2019, hasn’t played an international match since the 2023 World Cup final. After a longer-than-expected recovery from an ankle injury, he was expected to return earlier this year but missed crucial series, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Now, fully fit and ready, Shami is poised to make a strong comeback in the ODI format, just in time for high-stakes ICC tournaments.