The highly anticipated 5-match T20I series between India and England is set to commence on January 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both teams will aim to kick off the series on a strong note, with India looking to capitalize on home advantage and England bringing their dynamic T20 lineup to the subcontinent.
The series promises thrilling action as both sides showcase their depth, firepower, and strategy in the shortest format of the game. Fans can expect electrifying encounters with some of the world’s best players in action.
Indian squad ahead of the T20I series against England
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (VC), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, and Dhruv Jurel (wk).
Many young key players like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Siraj have been rested due to their participation in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Three biggest takeaways from India’s T20 Squad for T20I series vs. England are:
1: Mohammed Shami is back!
Veteran Indian seamer Mohammed Shami, who has been out of the Indian squad for more than a year, has been included in the upcoming T20I series against England. He has not featured in international cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup but has remained a standout performer in the ongoing domestic season.
Shami last appeared in a T20I against England during the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2022, where he conceded 39 runs in three overs without taking a wicket. Since then, he has been on the path to recovery, featuring in various domestic matches for Bengal, steadily regaining his fitness and form.
His selection in the T20I squad suggests that strong performances could pave the way for his inclusion in the 2025 Champions Trophy squad. With his experience and skill set, he remains a valuable asset, and consistent displays in upcoming matches could solidify his spot in the team for the prestigious tournament.
2: Axar Patel as vice captain over Hardik Pandya
Indian spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, who has been providing various important and crucial performances for team India, has been made the deputy to captain Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya, who served as vice captain during the T20 World Cup, did not assume the captaincy when Rohit Sharma stepped aside, with the role instead going to Suryakumar Yadav. With Axar Patel’s recent appointment, Pandya has not held any formal leadership role in India’s T20 setup since the World Cup.
The left-arm off-spinner has often remained in the shadow of Ravindra Jadeja, receiving limited recognition for his contributions despite consistently delivering impactful performances. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset, but his efforts have frequently gone unnoticed due to Jadeja’s prominence in the team.
3: Nitish Kumar Reddy makes it into T20I squad
Young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed everyone with his stellar Test debut during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has been added to the T20I squad. Known for his versatility with both bat and ball, Reddy’s inclusion reflects the team management’s focus on grooming promising talent for the shorter format.
His ability to handle pressure and deliver impactful performances could make him a key player in the upcoming series. As per reports, he will be making the cut for the playing XI for the 5-match T20I series against England.
