The Indian cricket team has been in exceptional form in recent ODIs, showcasing a blend of consistency and dominance. Following their victorious campaign in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, India has continued to impress with strong performances against top teams. Though India lost the final, but impressed everyone with their performance.
The emergence of young talents alongside the experience of seasoned players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has solidified their lineup. Key bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav have played pivotal roles in restricting opponents, making India a formidable side in limited-overs cricket.
The three-match ODI series between India and England begins on 6th February amid the buildup to the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Here’s India’s predicted Playing XI for first ODI match vs. England in VCA Stadium, Nagpur
1: Rohit Sharma (C)
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who failed to impress with his bat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, would be looking forward to gaining form ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He will be aiming to solidify his impact for the Indian side in white-ball cricket. Rohit’s main challenge in white-ball cricket over the past few years has been his inability to convert promising starts into substantial scores.
The right-handed opener has over 10,000 runs in 257 innings, with an average of 49.16.
2: Shubman Gill
Indian youngster Shubman Gill, who started his ODI career on a bang, has been struggling from the past few matches. The talented batter must deliver runs now as he strives to secure his spot in the team once again, with in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal in contention.
From 47 innings, Shubman Gill has scored 2,328 runs with an average of 58.20.
3: Virat Kohli
Widely regarded as the greatest batter in ODI cricket, Virat Kohli is set to return to his strongest format, where his consistency and match-winning abilities have defined his legendary career. The right-handed batter has scored 50 centuries in the 50-over format, which is the highest.
In 283 innings, he has a total of over 13,000 runs with an average of 58.18.
4: Shreyas Iyer
Despite solidifying his place at No. 4 during the 2023 World Cup, where he scored 530 runs, including a century in the semi-final, Shreyas Iyer was shifted from that position during the series in Sri Lanka. His valuable runs in domestic cricket will make him once again be a part of the Indian playing 11 ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
The middle-order batter has solid stats in ODI, with 2,421 runs from 57 innings.
5: Rishabh Pant
The young wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant, who has been a consistent presence in India’s Test and T20I squads, is now aiming to secure his spot in the ODI team as well, with competition for places intensifying.
Though his stats may not be exceptional, he’ll be looking to improve them in this outing and make a strong case for his continued place in the team.
6: Hardik Pandya
One of the best white-ball all-rounders in the world, Hardik Pandya has been a key player for the Indian side, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. His ability to perform under pressure, finish games, and provide vital breakthroughs makes him indispensable to India’s limited-overs setup.
He has been a crucial player for the Indian team in 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20I World Cup.
7: Axar Patel/Ravindra Jadeja
Both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are vital all-rounders for India in white-ball cricket, offering a blend of skill with both bat and ball. While Jadeja is renowned for his exceptional spin bowling, sharp fielding, and ability to stabilize the middle order with the bat, Axar Patel has emerged as a reliable option with his economical left-arm spin and handy batting contributions.
8: Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav is a key weapon in India’s bowling arsenal, particularly in limited-overs cricket. Known for his deceptive left-arm wrist spin, he has the ability to break partnerships and take wickets at crucial junctures. Kuldeep’s variations in pace and flight, along with his sharp googly, make him a potent threat in the middle overs.
9: Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a promising left-arm pacer for India in limited-overs cricket. Known for his accuracy, swing, and ability to bowl in the death overs, Arshdeep has quickly made a name for himself with his calm demeanor under pressure. His ability to execute yorkers and his effectiveness with the new ball make him a key asset in India’s fast-bowling lineup.
10: Mohammed Shami
Recovering from his injury, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami would be looking forward to making his return for the Indian team after playing his last match in the 2023 ODI World Cup. His experience and ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs, especially in the middle and death overs, make him a valuable asset.
11: Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj has been a standout performer for India in recent years, especially in white-ball cricket. Known for his pace, swing, and accuracy, Siraj has consistently delivered key breakthroughs in both the powerplay and the death overs. His ability to move the ball both ways and maintain tight lines has made him one of the most reliable fast bowlers in India’s limited-overs setup.
