Kris Srikkanth picks Mohammed Shami over Harshal Patel in India's T20 World Cup squad 

Mohammad Shami in action [PC: Twitter]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member Team India squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 yesterday. 

While pace duo Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel returned to the side after long injury layoffs,  veteran seamer Mohammed Shami was named among the standby players. 

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes that selectors should have put Shami ahead of Patel, given his experience and knowledge of bowling conditions Down Under.

"If I was the chairman of the selection committee, Shami is definitely in the team. We are playing in Australia, the guy's got the real action, the guy's got bounce, he can bare the moment and he can get on early wickets, so I would have probably got Shami instead of Harshal Patel."

Interestingly, Shami, who last featured for India in a T20I back in 2021 T20 World Cup, wasn't considered for the format over the past year or so, while Indian management opted to recruit in out-and-out fast bowlers like Umran Malik and Avesh Khan, which didn't yield desirable results.

Former Indian national chief selector also gave out his reason for putting Shami ahead of Harshal.

"I mean they can say not the scheme of things, he's only for Test cricket or one day cricket but we are playing in Australia. That guy has done well last IPL, so Shami is the must in my team."

Shami's services will be next seen for India in the 3-match T20I series against Australia beginning September 20.

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