Hosts India (IND) and England (ENG) will lock horns within the first ODI of the three-match collection, beginning on Wednesday, February 6, on the Vidarbha Cricket Affiliation Stadium, in Nagpur. After registering an emphatic T20I collection win by a 4-1 margin beneath the management of Suryakumar Yadav, the Males in Blue are all set to function within the sport’s 50-over format.
Forward of the white-ball collection, the Males’s Choice Committee introduced a 15-member squad that will function within the England collection and the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. The board had introduced that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is not going to be obtainable for the primary two video games, and Harshit Rana will likely be a part of the squad in his absence. Nonetheless, two days earlier than the collection, the governing physique introduced the addition of thriller spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. Bumrah who’s recovering from a again harm is predicted to be on the NCA, Bengaluru to regain full health earlier than heading to the celebrated match.
Notably, India will play three ODIs within the cities of Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad, respectively. Therefore, they will goal to area their strongest taking part in XI to edge previous the guests on their residence soil within the collection opener
Here is India’s Predicted XI in opposition to England:
Openers: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill
India will as soon as once more witness, Skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opening the innings. The duo who’ve been opening collectively for the previous two years, have stitched some unimaginable partnerships alongside the way in which.
Whereas each Rohit and Shubman had an underwhelming Check collection in opposition to Australia, they have been trying to put their previous performances behind them and tackle the brand new problem in entrance of them. The duo have opened in 25 ODIs and scored 1,732 runs collectively.
Center Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul
After openers, the middle-order can have the job of including these essential runs to the scorecard. The primary crux of India’s batting line-up will function, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. The trio has been profitable in anchoring the innings up to now few years, which has helped the Males in Blue considerably. Within the ODI World Cup 2023, one of many key causes for India having such an excellent marketing campaign was the type of these three batters.
Whereas Kohli had a poor tour of Australia, KL, alternatively, impressed everybody together with his class, batting on the prime with Yashasvi Jaiswal. In the meantime, Shreyas final performed for India within the Sri Lanka tour in 2024, and ever since has been taking part in the home tournaments. The England collection will likely be an important preparatory platform for the Champions Trophy 2025.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel
Hardik Pandya has been a precious participant of Indian cricket for a number of years, notably in white-ball cricket, and has usually contributed to the workforce’s victory with bat, ball, and likewise his excellent fielding. The Gujarat-born within the latest T20I collection displayed his brilliance, which finally helped India win the collection comfortably. Hardik who final performed a 50-over sport within the ODI World Cup 2023, will likely be excited to contribute in whichever capability. The 31-year-old will likely be anticipated to bowl with the brand new ball in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
Additionally Examine: Mohammed Shami on verge of shattering Mitchell Starc’s world file forward of first ODI
Together with Pandya, Axar Patel will likely be one other all-rounder on this facet. Whereas the squad, additionally consists of Ravindra Jadeja, the workforce would possibly go forward with Axar, as he’s in good contact. The southpaw who was additionally the vice-captain within the T20Is performed an important function in India’s win. Nonetheless, there will likely be talks across the spot as Jadeja too has performed properly within the latest Ranji Trophy sport in opposition to Delhi, choosing 12 wickets.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy
Within the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, India’s tempo assault will likely be led by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami. The duo who have been a part of the T20Is will look to shine on this format of the sport as properly. Arshdeep has been persistently delivering sensible performances within the shortest format of the sport and can look to hold his tremendous kind within the ODIs. Arshdeep has to date performed eight one-dayers and picked 12 wickets.
Additionally Examine- World Most cancers Day 2025: Cricketers who’re working for Most cancers initiatives
Partnering Singh within the quick bowling arsenal will likely be Shami. The 34-year-old who had an distinctive 2023 ODI World Cup, was sadly sidelined for one yr resulting from an ankle harm. Nonetheless, his return has as soon as once more introduced smiles to Indian followers. Within the latest T20I collection in opposition to England, Shami bagged three wickets in two video games.
India will area a spin bowling possibility within the type of Kuldeep Yadav. The chinaman was injured and recovering in NCA after the New Zealand Check collection, and since then hasn’t performed a world sport. Yadav who has been one in all India’s best spinners within the latest previous, will one achieve look to dazzle the group together with his expertise.
The final one on this XI would be the new addition to the squad, Varun Chakravarthy. The best-arm spinner has been in tremendous kind since making a comeback to India’s T20I squad. Within the latest victorious England collection, he scalped 14 wickets, which included a five-wicket haul in Rajkot and was additionally awarded the participant of the collection.
India’s predicted XI in opposition to England for first ODI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.