<p>Indian cricket fans welcomed the inclusion of <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/you-grow-stronger-mohammed-shami-opens-up-on-his-comeback-from-injury-23469762" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Mohammed Shami</strong></a> in India&rsquo;s squad after a long injury layoff. But they were surprised when the fast bowler didn&rsquo;t figure in the playing XI in the first T20I against England at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.</p>
<p><img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/jan/Ganguly-ad_e.jpg" alt="Sourav Ganguly" width="1280" height="720" /><br /><strong><em>Sourav Ganguly</em></strong></p>
<p>However, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/i-did-not-allow-my-self-confidence-to-go-down-mohammed-shami-23469406" target="_blank" rel="none noopener"><strong>Sourav Ganguly</strong></a> was fine with Shami being left out of the XI. &ldquo;They opted for an extra spinner, which is not a bad ploy. Gautam Gambhir [head coach] knows that the English batsmen can&rsquo;t play spin bowling authoritatively. We have seen the inability of the England team against top-class spin bowling,&rdquo; Ganguly said.</p>
<p>The Kolkata-based former India captain looked at the positive side over Shami getting more time to recharge his batteries and was hopeful of him getting a chance in the remainder of the series.</p><p>
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Ind vs Eng 1st T20I: The Kolkata-based former India captain looked at the positive side over Shami getting more time to recharge his batteries

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They opted for an extra spinner, which is not a bad ploy.

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