As India gets ready to take on England in the first T20I at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens on Wednesday, excitement is running high among cricket fans. Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly shared updates about the preparations, revealing that only the Indian team would practice on the eve of the match.
“The whole stadium is houseful… 95% of the tickets are already sold,” Ganguly told ANI, highlighting the massive fan turnout. The match also marks a big moment for pacer Mohammed Shami, who is set to return to action after recovering from an injury. Speaking on Shami’s comeback, Ganguly said, “Mohammed Shami was out due to injury, but now he’s fit and ready to play.”
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, also heaped praise on Shami, calling him a “stalwart” of white-ball cricket during a press conference with Ajit Agarkar on Saturday. The pair announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and the ODI series against England.
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Shami’s inclusion in the ODI squad is his first in over a year. His road back to competitive cricket hasn’t been easy. After undergoing ankle surgery that kept him out for almost a year, Shami made a strong return last year, representing Bengal in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy. He last featured for India in the ODI World Cup 2023 final and continues to prove his resilience and skill.
With the Indian team raring to go, Eden Gardens is set to host a thrilling encounter between India and England. Fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere as the two teams clash in this much-anticipated match.