IND vs ENG: India's Predicted Playing XI Against England, 1st T20I

India takes on England in a white-ball series comprising of three T20Is and three ODIs starting with the first T20I at Southampton, on July 7. India lost the 5th Test as a result the series has ended at 2-3 after a record-breaking chase from the hosts. Both teams got a day’s turnaround between the fifth Test and the first T20I. THis a good preparation for both teams heading into the T20 World Cup.

India are kind of desperate to win the white-ball leg of the tour after going down in the Test match. They are the top-ranked side in T20Is followed by England at number two. A series loss might see them dethroned from the top position as well.

The BCCI named two different squads for the T20I series. The first T20I will be played by the squad that was picked for the Ireland series. Only Rohit Sharma is back amongst the senior players to lead the side. The other senior players will be back for the final two T20Is and the ODI series. There are reports that a few of the Indian players might be given their maiden T20I caps.

IND vs ENG: India’s Predicted Playing XI Against England, 1st T20I

Rohit Sharma (C)

Rohit will open the batting and will need to take up the mantle of scoring runs at the top of the order. He was rested from South Africa and the Ireland series and missed the 5th Test due to covid.

Also Read: IND vs ENG Head-to-Head Records, India’s Head-to-Head Record Against England –India Tour Of England 2022, 1st T20I

Ishan Kishan

Kishan has been in good form since the homeT20I series against South Africa. He should be preferred as the second opener. He is a naturally attacking player and should play with the same instinct. He needs to score runs and give his team a good start.

Suryakumar Yadav

SKY made a comeback in the T20I series and was a part of the Ireland T20I series as well. He is short of runs recently and this series is his big opportunity to cement his place in India’s T20I side for the T20 World Cup.

Hardik Pandya

Pandya has batted well consistently well since the IPL. He batted at that position against South Africa and Ireland as well. He should be allowed to bat at that position.

Deepak Hooda

Hooda recently scored his maiden T20I century against Ireland. He batted at number three in that series. If he is slotted at three the rest of the batters will drop down a position. He should be preferred over someone like Venkatesh Iyer based on current form.

Dinesh Karthik (WK)

Karthik made a comeback to the Indian T20I side after his memorable IPL season with RCB. Since his return, he has been consistently scoring runs. He recently led India in the second T20 warmup game as well.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvi will lead the bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. He has been in good bowling form recently in the South Africa and Ireland series.

Harshal Patel

Between Harshal and Avesh Khan, Harshal should get the nod ahead of Avesh given that he has more variations than the pacer which might be useful in the given conditions in Southampton.

Arshdeep Singh

Umran Malik

Umran Malik who played the two T20Is against Ireland should be given another go in the first T20I against England. He bowled with pace which unsettled the Irish batsmen. He might crank a few up against England as well.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Chahal has a good record against England in T20Is. He also has the most wickets for any Indian bowler against England (12). He concludes India’s likely playing XI against England for the first T20I.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: England Is Playing Fearless And Intimidating Cricket: Michael Vaughan