In the past few months, the Indian cricket team has outshined as one of the best teams in the current generation. The youngsters have played a pivotal role in this resurgence, showcasing exceptional talent and fearless cricket. Players like Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have brought consistency and aggression to the batting lineup, often dominating opponents with their innovative stroke play.
This infusion of youthful energy, combined with the experience of players like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, has created a well-rounded squad capable of excelling in all conditions. The youngsters’ adaptability and hunger for success have not only strengthened the team’s core but also paved the way for a bright future in T20 cricket.
The five-match T20I series between India and England is set to take place from 22nd January to 2nd February, followed by a three-match ODI series. Following the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, several prominent players, such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are expected to be rested.
Here’s India’s predicted Playing XI for first T20I match vs. England in Eden Gardens, Kolkata
1: Ruturaj Gaikwad
The right-handed batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad, has been a rising star for the Indian cricket team in the T20I format. His consistency and elegant stroke play have impressed both fans and selectors. . With his technique and temperament, Gaikwad is poised to play a crucial role in India’s cricketing future.
The opener has scored 633 runs in 20 innings with a strike rate of 143.53. His innings include one century and 4 fifties, with an average of 39.56.
2: Sanju Samson
Indian top-order batter Sanju Samson is one of the most dynamic and talented cricketers in India’s white-ball setup. Despite occasional inconsistency, his performances in domestic cricket and the IPL have highlighted his immense potential. He is known for his effortless stroke play and ability to accelerate the innings; he has proven himself as a game-changer, particularly in the middle order.
In 33 innings, Sanju Samson has scored 810 runs with an average and strike rate of 27.93 and 155.17, respectively. He holds the record for most Hundreds in consecutive innings (2).
3: Tilak Varma
Indian rising star, Tilak Varma has emerged as one of India’s most promising young talents in recent times. The left-handed batter is known for his calm temperament and fearless batting. His ability to handle pressure situations and play with a wide range of strokes has made him a reliable middle-order batter, especially in T20Is.
The batter has accumulated a total of 616 runs from 19 innings. He has an average of above 50 with 161.25 strike rate.
4: Suryakumar Yadav (C)
Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has transformed the T20I format with his innovative shots and fearless approach. He has consistently delivered match-winning performances, often coming in at crucial positions and taking control of the game. His fearless stroke play, especially against top-quality bowlers, has earned him accolades, and he has established himself as one of the top T20 players in the world.
From 74 innings, the batter has scored 2,570 runs with an average of 40.79. SKY has 4 centuries and 21 fifties to his name.
5: Rinku Singh
The left-handed finisher Rinku Singh has been one of the most exciting emerging talents in Indian cricket. Known for his aggressive batting style and powerful hitting, Rinku has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. His ability to strike the ball cleanly, especially in pressure situations, has earned him recognition as a potential matchwinner.
In 22 innings, he has accumulated a total of 507 runs, providing strong finishes to the Indian side. His consistency and ability to accelerate that make him a dangerous player.
6: Hardik Pandya
One of the most influential all-rounders in modern-day cricket, Hardik Pandya has a very dynamic presence on the field. Since his debut, Pandya has been an invaluable asset to the Indian cricket team, particularly in white-ball formats. His ability to shift the momentum with aggressive innings, especially in the death overs, has made him one of the best finishers in limited-overs cricket.
His contributions both as a batter and a bowler have impressed the fans and experts.
7: Axar Patel
One of the most underrated spin bowling all-rounder of Indian cricket, Axar Patel is a versatile player who has quietly established himself as a key figure in the Indian team. Known for his accuracy and consistency with the ball, Axar is a left-arm spinner who can contain runs and pick wickets in the middle overs, making him a valuable asset in limited-overs formats.
Whether it’s with the ball or bat, Axar Patel’s contributions often go unnoticed but are vital to the team’s success, particularly in challenging conditions.
8: Prasidh Krishna/Harshit Rana
Both Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana were a part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad, but they are expected to be included in the T20I series against England. Krishna, known for his pace and bounce, has been a standout performer in the limited-overs format, and his ability to generate extra pace and swing makes him a valuable asset in T20 cricket. Harshit Rana, a promising fast bowler, has impressed with his raw pace and aggressive approach, offering the team an additional option in the bowling attack.
9: Yash Dayal
Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal impressed everyone with his spells for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2024. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace, Dayal proved to be a key player in the death overs. His variations, combined with his accuracy, made him a challenging bowler to face, earning him praise for his maturity and control under pressure.
10: Ravi Bishnoi
Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi is also expected to make the cut in the Indian playing XI. Known for his aggressive style of bowling, Bishnoi is adept at picking wickets in the middle overs, often breaking partnerships with his sharp leg spin and googlies. His performance in domestic cricket and the IPL has earned him recognition as one of India’s most exciting young spinners. Bishnoi’s confidence and ability to bowl under pressure make him a key asset in limited-overs formats, especially in T20Is.
11: Arshdeep Singh
The left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh has quickly established himself as one of the most promising young fast bowlers in India, particularly in T20 cricket. Known for his calm demeanor under pressure and his ability to bowl pinpoint yorkers in the death overs, Arshdeep has earned a reputation as one of the best in the business in closing out tight games.
His swing bowling in the powerplay, along with his smart variations, makes him a constant threat to batsmen. Arshdeep’s performances in the IPL and for India have highlighted his potential to be a key player in India’s fast-bowling lineup, providing the team with valuable options in both the powerplay and at the death.
