England will be eyeing a winning start to their tour of India when they take on the hosts in the first T20I of the five-match series. The opening match of the series is scheduled to take place on Wednesday (January 22) at Eden Gardens.
England’s last T20I assignment was a five-match series in the West Indies. The two-time T20 World Cup winners won that series 3-1 and will be looking to win the series against India as well. While India will start the series as firm favourites, England have enough firepower to stun their adoring hosts.
With the visitors eyeing a winning start to the series, we look at England playing 11 for the first IND vs ENG T20I. The visitors have already announced their 11 for the start of the series.
England Match 11 vs India – England Tour of India 2025:
Openers: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett
England will have a new opening combination for the first T20I against India. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett will be the openers in England Playing 11 to start the series.
While Will Jacks and Salt opened the innings against West Indies a few months ago, Duckett will replace the former in the upcoming series.
Duckett recently played in the Big Bash League in Australia and scored three half-centuries. The southpaw will also be eyeing a good show against India.
Salt, on the other hand, has a wealth of experience playing in India. He had a memorable IPL season with the champions Kolkata Knight Riders last year and will be ready to give England a good start.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton
England head coach Brendon McCullum has already confirmed that Jos Buttler will continue to play at number four. One of the best T20 batsmen in the world, Buttler will look to lead his side from the front in the challenging series.
Buttler has a wealth of experience in Indian conditions thanks to his involvement in the IPL and will look to make the most of it.
Harry Brook is expected to be England’s fourth batsman, playing in the 11. The right-handed batsman, who was recently named vice-captain of the team, last played for England during the three-match Test series in New Zealand. Brook scored two centuries and a fifty in that series.
Jaco Bethell will be another batting option in England, playing in the 11. The left-handed batsman impressed with the bat against the West Indies in November, scoring 127 runs in 4 matches, including two fifties. They will try to provide against India as well.
Other options in England’s middle order are the all-rounders Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton. Both players have enough T20 experience and will look to make an impact in the upcoming match.
Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson
Three openers and a spinner will make up England’s bowling line-up playing 11. Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson there will be three fast bowlers while Adil Rashid will be the tip of the spear. Livingstone and Overton are also other bowling options for tourists.
