England playing XI for first T20I vs India announced, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood feature
Published - 21 Jan 2025, 02:20 PM | Updated - 21 Jan 2025, 02:37 PM
The England national cricket team has announced their playing XI for the first T20I of the five-match series against the India national cricket team. England white-ball captain Jos Buttler will play as a specialist batter in the upcoming series, and Harry Brook has been named as vice-captain of the national team.
The five-match T20I series between England and India will kick off on Wednesday, January 22, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After the opening match in Kolkata, the remaining matches will be played in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. After the T20I series, England will also play three ODI matches against India.
England Announces Playing XI For First T20I Against India
England has announced their playing XI for the first T20I against India in Kolkata. Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, and Rehan Ahmed are not included in the squad for this match. England's head coach, Brendon McCullum, has stated that all players will get a chance to play at some point during the series.
England’s batting lineup, featuring power hitters like Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, will be crucial to their success. Jofra Archer, who has returned to the squad, adds pace to their bowling attack, while Adil Rashid’s role in the middle overs will be pivotal.
The team’s combination of youth and experience sets the stage for an exciting contest. Phil Salt will keep wicket and open the batting alongside Ben Duckett. Buttler will bat at three.
England Playing XI: Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook (vc), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
England's T20I Performance Has Been More Mixed Since T20 World Cup 2024
England's T20I performance has been more mixed, including a drawn series against Australia and a win over the West Indies after their semi-final exit in the 2024 World Cup.
On the other hand, India has been in exceptional form in T20 cricket, following their unbeaten victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup with four consecutive bilateral T20I series wins.
When it comes to head-to-head encounters in T20Is, the two teams have been closely matched, with the Men in Blue holding a narrow 13-11 advantage in 24 meetings.
Eden Gardens Set to Host High-Stakes T20I Clash Between Two Top Teams
Eden Gardens in Kolkata, known for its vibrant atmosphere, is the ideal venue for this high-stakes match between two of the world’s top T20 teams. It’s been nearly three years since the ground hosted a T20I, and the passionate fans are eager to witness a thrilling contest.
The pitch is known for favoring batsmen, giving the team that gains an early advantage a greater chance of success. India’s formidable batting lineup will face tough competition from England’s bowlers, and with strong performances anticipated from both sides, the match is expected to be closely contested.
