England announced its playing XI for the first game against India to play at the VCA stadium, Nagpur, February 6th. Veteran Batter Joe Root returned to the Gad team and was cut in place number 3. It will be Root’s first go out in more than a year.
Jos Buttler will continue to lead the side and will reproduce in the middle order as it usually does in this format. The playing XI looks quite similar to the one he recently played in the T20I series. All players except Joe Root played in the T20I series against India.
England announces playing XI for 1.
First time since 2023 … Joe Root returned to the GODS 😍
Your team of England tomorrow will face India 🔜 pic.twitter.com/m7AEpcppxk
– England cricket (@englandcricsket) 5th February 2025
The detachment looks quite balanced and strong with a lot of fire power in it. England decided to start with a quality attack at the speed of bowling, led by Jofra Archer. The talented bodies Brydon Carse and Saqib Mahmood remained two fast wandering options.
The Spin attack will be led by Adil Rashid’s legs, which has been a front line Spinner in a white ball format for some time. Liam Livingstone is also likely to roll your hand for some key to the fifth bowling option.
Livingstone has a unique bowl and offspin and legs. Joe Root is likely to muffle some key transmission from offspin. The root is a skilled spin bowler and can be useful in the middle. In addition to Livingstone and Root, Allrounder Jacob Bethell can also thicken the left hand.
English powerful order of hitting
English hitting is their strength with a lot of fire power in it. They kept both of their openers for the T20I series Phil Salt and Ben Duckett. Joe root will hit in no. 3, and it is expected that there will be a rock of this line.
Talented Harry Brook dough is likely to hit in no. 4, while another Buttler will play on number 5. Phil Salt took gloves in the T20I series and remains to be seen whether Buttler will restore gloves for this format.
Liam Livingstone had the task of the role of the finisher at number 6. Livingstone has experience and great ability to become great in Slog. England also has a talent of young Allrounder Jacob Bethella at no. 7.
Challenge for Indian bowlers
With such a powerful hit line, India will not be easy to stop this English team. Indian bowlers will surely be challenged by looking at the depth of this order of hitting.
The series becomes important for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming champion trophy. Both teams are in separate teams for the tournament, but they could get to know each other at a knockout games.
