‘Takes time for a vehicle to get warmed up’ – Aakash Chopra on Mohammed Shami’s importance to play 2nd England T20I

Mohammed Shami’s return to international action in the first match of the current Twenty20 International series between England and India generated a lot of excitement. He didn’t make it to the XI, though. When Shami did not play in Kolkata, there were a lot of rumors about how fit he was, which was important for India’s chances of winning the Champions Trophy.

According to the information he has learned, former cricket player turned broadcaster Aakash Chopra stated that Shami might not participate in the second Twenty20 International as well.

“Where is Shami Mohammed? The question is really, really, really enormous. I’ve read reports that he won’t play here in Chennai either. He was not there at the first game and may not be present at the second. “You are in a race against time right now because (Jasprit) Bumrah might play the final ODI. If Mohammed Shami wins these two T20Is, there will only be three games and the three ODIs left,” Chopra said in a video that was uploaded to his YouTube account.

The conundrum Shami and the team management are facing about allowing the speedster to participate in the second game of the series was further explained by Chopra.

“While there is still time, it is also getting shorter. The idea that time is both present and absent is a minor contradiction. He hasn’t played international cricket for 14–15 months, so it’s not there, but it is there because he has six games remaining if he doesn’t play this one. The warming process of a car takes time. It’s a diesel engine, not a petrol one. He’s a fast bowler and he’s old,” he said.

How could he have been ready then if he is still not? Aakash Chopra

The former Indian opener continued by saying that Shami’s exclusion from the BCCI’s Test matches against Australia Down Under was the right decision.

“When he wasn’t going for the BGT, a lot of questions about why he wasn’t being played were being asked, if you rewind the video. Rohit Sharma was unable to respond to them. He stated that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) ought to be questioned about it, as they have not received the fitness assessment, and he has had swelling. Since then, one and a half months have passed. The individual is completely unprepared, thus the team management and selectors were correct. Despite participating in the Ranji Trophy, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he is still not prepared. Chopra continued, “How would he have been prepared if he is still not ready?

Following the five-match T20I series, India will play England in three ODIs. Shami’s only chance to reintegrate into the starting lineup and regain his form before the intense Champions Trophy begins is still these games.