Mohammed Shami and Harbhajan Singh named in India World T20 squad
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 05/02/16 11:32am
India have recalled strike bowler Mohammed Shami and included Harbhajan Singh in their squad for the World Twenty20 which begins next month.
Shami has not played for India since last year's 50-over World Cup after suffering a knee injury and was sent home early from India's recent tour of Australia with hamstring problems.
But chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil said the 25-year-old had recovered and would be given time to prove his fitness, leaving open the possibility of calling up a late replacement before the final selection deadline.
"We have 30 days to ascertain where Shami is," Patil said.
"He has recovered, he has resumed bowling. That's what we know right now."
Shami had been emerging as India's premier fast bowler before his injury woes, shining in all three formats of the game.
Shami's inclusion was the most eye-catching in a 15-man squad packed with experience and skippered by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who led India to victory in the 2007 inaugural tournament in South Africa.
There had been questions about Dhoni's future after a disappointing run of scores but critics were silenced when he led India to a 3-0 victory in the recent T20 series against Australia.
The 35-year-old Harbhajan and Yuvraj, 34, are two other veterans of India's triumph in 2007, the only time the team has won the trophy.
Harbhajan failed to make the starting line-up in the Australia tour but Patil said the off-spinner, who has taken more than 700 international wickets, still had something to offer.
"Unfortunately he didn't get a chance (in Australia)," he said. "But selectors and captain and team management have total faith in Harbhajan and the record which has set and the contribution that he has made, not only towards Indian cricket but towards world cricket."
The only uncapped player in the squad is the left-arm spinner Pawan Negi, who has impressed in the Indian Premier League with his bowling and his powerful lower-order hitting.
Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, Pawan Negi, Mohammed Shami.
Watch the World Twenty20 live on Sky Sports
