The first T20I match between India and England is scheduled to take place on January 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This highly anticipated encounter promises to set the tone for the series as both teams look to showcase their skills in one of cricket’s most electrifying formats. Fans can expect a thrilling contest under the lights at one of the most historic venues in the cricketing world.
Indian conditions are traditionally known to favor spinners, offering turn and grip as the game progresses. However, in the initial overs, seamers can make the most of the new ball, leveraging any early swing or seam movement to trouble the batters. This balance between pace and spin often makes Indian pitches a fascinating challenge for teams to navigate.
Here’s a list of three bowlers who can pick most wickets in the first T20 between England and India at Eden Gardens:
1: Axar Patel
Left arm off-spin all-rounder Axar Patel has been an underrated performer for the Indian side in the white-ball format. With his accuracy and ability to extract turn on spin-friendly surfaces, he can be a major threat, especially in the middle overs. His variations and calm under pressure make him a reliable wicket-taker in T20I cricket.
Recently, he took 3 wickets against England in the 2024 T20 World Cup Semi Final, where India defeated England by the margin of 68 runs.
2: Varun Chakravarthy
Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy can be a crucial asset for the Indian side in the spin-friendly conditions of the Eden Gardens. Known as the mystery spinner, he has the ability to deceive batters with his variety of deliveries. Playing at Eden Gardens, his IPL home ground, gives him an edge as he is well-versed with the pitch conditions.
3: Adil Rashid
English leg-spinner Adil Rashid is the only primary spinner in the England squad for the T20 series against India. His googlies and legbreaks can trouble Indian batters, particularly on a pitch that offers assistance to spinners. He is a proven match winner, as his ability to strike during crucial phases makes him a key player for England.
In the 2024 T20 World Cup Semi Final, he bowled well striking the wicket of captain Rohit Sharma, who batted brilliantly.
