Fri Jan 24 04:07:23 UTC 2025: ## India Likely to Stick with Spin-Heavy XI for 2nd T20I Against England
**Chennai, India** – Mohammed Shami’s return to the Indian T20I squad remains uncertain. Despite speculation surrounding his comeback after a 14-month absence, the fast bowler was omitted from the playing XI in the first T20I against England in Kolkata, and is expected to be left out again for the second match in Chennai.
The decision to exclude Shami in Kolkata stemmed from captain Suryakumar Yadav’s preference for a three-spinner attack, alongside only one main pace bowler, Arshdeep Singh. Given the spin-friendly nature of the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch in Chennai, Yadav is likely to retain this strategy for the second T20I.
Therefore, India is predicted to field the same eleven that played in Kolkata: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy. This lineup prioritizes spin bowling, leaving little room for Shami’s inclusion. The match promises to be a fascinating encounter, with India’s spin attack taking centre stage once again.
First Piper 