Mohammed Shami to play in IND vs ENG 5th T20I? India coach provides massive update on returning India pacer

Mohammed Shami could feature in India’s final T20I against England in Mumbai on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium considering it to be a dead rubber. The Men in Blue won the fourth T20I in Pune on Friday to pocket the series 3-1 with a game to spare. Earlier, India had won in Kolkata and Chennai while England tastes success in Rajkot. 

Coming back after 14 months due to injury, Mohammed Shami was a victim of India plans to go spin-heavy in the series. He made a return to the Indian playing XI in Rajkot but without any success. 

With the series in the pocket, India can afford to experiment and give the benchwarmers a chance to prove their mettle before the ODI series against the same opposition, starting on February 6. 

In Rajkot, Shami bowled just three overs and conceded 25 runs at an economy rate of 8.33. India bowling coach Morne Morkel is elated with Mohammed Shami’s return and revealed that he is likely to play in Mumbai. 

“Shami’s been bowling really well, catching to him at warm-ups… so very happy he’s coming along. He’s probably going to get an opportunity in the next game, we’ll see how things go, but excited to have him back in the group,” Morkel told media at the post-match press conference.