The stage is set for the 1st T20I action in between India and England on Gardens of Paradise in Kolkata. This will be the first meeting between the two nations in the 5-match T20I series. The Indian team will be playing for the first time after losing to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On the other hand, England arrived in India after a triumph against New Zealand in a 3-match test series.
All eyes are on the Indian team after the failure in the Tests
The performance of the Indian team has not been up to par in recent months. The team gradually lost its flair starting with the loss in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, followed by a historic series against New Zealand. The recent series loss to Australia was another chapter of failure for Indian fans. Hence, Indian fans are now hoping that the team will finally gather some crucial winning momentum sooner Champions Trophy 2025.
Also read: IND vs ENG: England reveal playing XI for first T20I against India; Harry Brook appointed vice-captain
Here is India’s predicted XI for the 1st T20I against England
1. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma has the responsibility to face England’s pacers and give the team a much-needed start during the T20I series. The 24-year-old has impressed with the bat having recently put in impressive performances for his home side, Punjab.
2. Sanju Samson
This is a golden opportunity for Sanju Samson to show why he should be a regular starter for the Indian white-ball cricket team. The stakes are high for the 30-year-old, who has not featured in the Indian team since the November 2024 tour of South Africa.
3. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is the leader of the Indian team in the T20I format and is popular for his all-round play. Fans expect SKY to lead their Indian team from the front and lead them to a convincing win against England. Apart from his leadership, India also rely on his incredible batting skills to get through the English bowling unit.
4. Tilak Varma
Similar to Yadav, Tilak Varma also carries a reputation for dynamism and the ability to adapt to the game situation. Tilak will be responsible for providing stability and keeping the run flow steady in adverse conditions for the team.
5. Hardik Pandya
Without a doubt, Hardik Pandya is the cornerstone of this team’s strength. India’s chances in this T20I series would surely be in jeopardy without his outstanding performances with both bat and ball. Pandya possesses the ability to change the course of the game with his exceptional skills in white ball cricket. As a result, both the team and the fans will be eagerly counting on him to live up to and live up to his reputation.
6. Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh has proved his mettle in the T20I format in the past and has emerged as a regular starter in the Indian team for the shortest format of the game. His explosive batting would be a sight to behold at the iconic Eden Gardens.
7. Axar Patel
India will rely on Axar Patel’s all-round abilities throughout the series. Axar has the ability to provide valuable depth in the batting line-up and bowl crucial transition overs, with a shot at picking up some key wickets in the process. Hence, Axar is expected to be an integral part of the Playing XI.
8. Mohammed Shami
This will be the first time that Mohammed Shami will play in the Indian jersey after the ODI World Cup 2023. The Indian sensation will have to find his rhythm and be at his absolute best before the all-important Champions Trophy 2025.
9. Arshdeep Singh
The young pace sensation is known for his wicket-taking ability and making some early breakthroughs for the team. The team would rely on Arshdeep for both these important things and bother the English batsmen with his sharp shots.
10. Nitish Rana
The current T20I series is an opportunity for Nitish Rana to showcase his skills and impress the team management. The youngster was not included in the team for the Champions Trophy and therefore the series against England is a rare opportunity for the young pacer to shine before the prestigious tournament.
11. Varun Chakravarthy
The experienced domestic spinner impressed during the Vijay Hazare Trophy and hence is expected to start in the playing XI for the 1st T20I. Additionally, the leg-spinner addition to the squad would complement Axar’s off-spin bowling from the other end and could be a bone of contention for England’s batsmen.
Also read: Controversy erupts as BCCI refuses to print Pakistan’s name on India’s 2025 Champions Trophy jersey.
