India playing 11 against England

The five-match T20I series between India and England will start this week. India and England 1st the match will be played at Eden Gardens on Wednesday (January 22).

The upcoming series will be India’s first T20I assignment of 2025 and they will be looking to start the series on a winning note. Having not lost a T20I series under new captain Suryakumar Yadav, the Men in Blue will be keen to extend their unbeaten run.

So, as India prepare for the first home match of the new year, we’re taking a look at the India Playing XI for the first T20I.

India Playing 11 vs England – England Tour for India 2025:

Openers: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma

Sanju Samson i Abhishek Sharma they are expected to be the first in India Playing 11 for the first T20I against England. Samson had an impressive outing in India’s last T20I assignment, which was the four-match series against South Africa.

While he registered two ducks in the series, he also hit two blistering centuries. Before that, Samson had also hit a century against Bangladesh. The batsman-batsman will also be eyeing a similar performance against England.

He will also have a point to prove after being overlooked for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Although many expected him to make the squad, the selectors picked Rishabh Pant ahead of him.

Samson’s opening partner Abhishek Sharma will also be looking to impress with the bat and cement his place in the team. The left-hander recently impressed on the domestic circuit, scoring four fifties in his last five List A innings.

Middle-order and all-rounders: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel

Captain Suryakumar Yadav will be ready to lead his side from the front as they eye another series win. India have not lost a series since replacing Rohit Sharma as captain and the Mumbai star will be keen to do well in this series as well.

Tilak Varma will be India’s number four batsman playing 11 for the first T20I. The left-handed batsman starred with the bat in the series against South Africa, hitting unbeaten centuries in the last two matches. He can create history by scoring another century in the next match.

Rinku Singh will be another reliable option in the India Playing 11. The left-hander has not had too many opportunities in recent times and will look to make the most of them if he gets a chance to showcase his finisher skills against England.

India Playing 11 is likely to have three designated openers – Hardik Pandya, Axar Pateland Nitish Reddy. All three players can change the course of a game with both bat and ball and will be looking to start the series on a high note.

Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh

India are likely to have two specialist pacers and a spinner in their playing 11. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will return to the squad as he looks to play his first match for India since November 2023.

Left arm pacemaker Arshdeep Singh He is likely to lead the attack while Varun Chakravarthy will spearhead the spin attack.