India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra questioned Mohammed Shami's fitness after the veteran pacer was left out of India's playing XI for the first T20I against England.

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.

Team India have left out Mohammed Shami from the Playing XI for the 1st T20I against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. The Surya Kumar Yadav-led India won the toss and elected to bowl. 'A good headache (playing XI selection), we want to stick to our strengths,' Yadav said at the toss.

Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami has not been picked for India's first T20I against England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The hosts named one specialist pacer in Arshdeep Singh, while Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy can assist him whenever required.

Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the Indian cricket team will have to wait. The pacer was not picked in the Playing Xi by the Indian cricket team think tank for the first IND vs ENG T20 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. IND vs ENG 1st T20I UPDATE: India have won the toss at Kolkata and have opted to ball first. Follow our IND vs ENG liveblog.

Check out the prestigious list Mohammed Shami could make his entry into during his comeback to international cricket in the first T20I against England, only on CricTracker.

In a blow to the Indian cricket team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was left out of the Playing XI for the first match of the five-game T20I series against England being held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The decision has dampened hopes of Shami's much-awaited return to international cricket.

Suryakumar Yadav's Indian cricket team is going one-on-one against Jos Buttler-led England side in the first T20I of the five-match series which is being played at the Eden Gardens. in Kolkata, on January 22 (Wednesday).

The 1st T20 match between India and England is set for January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Mohammed Shami is expected to return after injury. India, under Suryakumar Yadav, aim to continue its strong form.

Mohammed Shami is set to make his international comeback while Sanju Samson will return to opening slot for the first T20 match against England at Kolkata on Wednesday.