Mohammed Shami has played just two T20Is after returning to Team India. He was out of action for more than a year and the team management treated him cautiously during the series against England. He was not at his best and looked rusty.

Although he picked up three wickets in the fifth T20I at the Wankhede Stadium, the speedster still needs time. Jasprit Bumrah will miss the ODI series against the Jos Buttler-led team as he hasn’t joined the team due to his back injury.

However, if he is ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the sub-continent team will get impacted. Shami and Arshdeep Singh are the only reliable options.

“India will have to drop someone to add another seamer to the team. You can’t take more than 15 players as it is an ICC event and not the bilateral series,” Aakash Chopra said.

“If you want to make a change because of an injury during the tournament, it needs to get approved by the ICC. India need four fast bowlers because Mohammed Shami doesn’t look ready,” he added.

Aakash put India and the chief selector Ajit Agarkar on high alert, considering Mohammed Siraj is not a part of the unit. “Arshdeep Singh is a good bowler but he hasn’t played a lot of ODIs. I feel the selection committee will select one more pacers. Mohammed Siraj will travel to Dubai for the Champions Trophy,” he concluded.