(Cricket news) The BCCI on Monday announced a 15 member squad for the Asia Cup T20s which will start on 27th August. India's two fast bowlers Harshal Patel and Jasprit Bumrah were ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. The Indian squad only had 3 seamers in the form of Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Avesh Khan. The squad in itself shows that India are planning to play only two seamers in their playing with Hardik Pandya as the fast bowling all-rounder. One name which is missing is that of Mohammed Shami.

Mohammed Shami hasn't played a T20I match since the World Cup last year. Recent reports suggest that the BCCI has decided to not consider Shami for T20Is. The reason being that the seamer is 32 years of age and the team needs him more in Tests and ODIs. The reason definitely makes sense but at the same time India has to concentrate on winning the Asia Cup to take the momentum into the T20 World Cup. Shami's exclusion wouldn't have been a problem had Bumrah and Harshal been fit. India needed a bowler like Shami in the squad because Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh are both very young and don't have big tournament experience. 

Shami had an excellent IPL season in 2022 as he took 20 wickets in 16 games. He was the highest taker for Gujarat Titans and one of the biggest reasons why they won their maiden IPL title. The seamer has a lot of experience of playing in Australia which would be a very big advantage in the T20 World Cup but the BCCI has other plans. Indian fans will be hoping that both Bumrah and Harshal get fit for the World Cup otherwise the BCCI may have no option but to recall Mohammed Shami.

Also read: Hits and misses as BCCI announce India's Asia Cup squad