India has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series-opening T20 against England's cricketers in Kolkata.

Piyush Chawla backed India's decision to bench Mohammed Shami, while Suresh Raina reckoned it was a tactical call

In a blow to the Indian cricket team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami was left out of the Playing XI for the first match of the five-game T20I series against England being held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The decision has dampened hopes of Shami's much-awaited return to international cricket.

There was a big surprise as far as India's playing XI is concerned with star pacer Mohammed Shami unable to make the cut.

Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the Indian cricket team will have to wait. The pacer was not picked in the Playing Xi by the Indian cricket team think tank for the first IND vs ENG T20 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. IND vs ENG 1st T20I UPDATE: India have won the toss at Kolkata and have opted to ball first. Follow our IND vs ENG liveblog.

Check out the prestigious list Mohammed Shami could make his entry into during his comeback to international cricket in the first T20I against England, only on CricTracker.

Mohammed Shami will attract all the eyeballs as the India pacer returns to international cricket after 14 months at his home ground. The India vs England 1st T20I starts at 7 PM IST.