India, Jan. 28 -- Mohammed Shami's first ball on returning to international cricket after nearly 15 months was a bit looser, but it had the trademark Shami seam position and shape. The ball swung a mile but didn't bounce. Pahil Salt had a mighty heave but the ball swung away from him and reached the keeper. Seeing the ball bounce once before reaching Sanju Samson's gloves, India captain Suryakumar Yadav decided to take the slip out.

Rajkot is not the best place for bowlers, but Shami was no stranger to difficult situations. After missing international cricket for more than 14 months, he would have gobbled up any opportunity, and so he did, as India decided to rest Arshdeep Singh for the third T20I against England.

For his second ball, S...