India playing XI for the first T20I against England prediction
India is all set to lock horns with England in the five-match T20I series. The first game of the series is all set to be played on Wednesday (23rd January) at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The India team is all set to be captained by Suryakumar Yadav and the squad is filled with plenty of youngsters. Thus the series provides a great opportunity for the young players to make their case strong and seal their place in the Indian XI for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Openers: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson; Tilak Varma at No.3
Coming to the Indian XI for the first T20I against England, it is expected that Sanju Samson will retain his place as an opener in the team. He has been in great form of late, as he slammed three centuries in 2024 while opening the innings.
Abhishek Sharma is expected to partner with him at the top of the series. The left-hander hasn't been able to maintain the consistency, and there were reports that this will be the make-or-break series for him. At No.3, it is expected that Tilak Varma will be batting because of his heroics in South Africa.
Tilak Varma asked for the No.3 role during the South Africa series and he delivered. He slammed two back-to-back centuries in the series. With the kind of batting that is displayed, it's fair to say that he will be retaining his place in the team for the first IND vs ENG T20I.
Middle order: Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya; Finishers: Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will be batting at No.4 and would want to get some runs under his belt, especially after his low scores in South Africa. Hardik Pandya will be back in action after having a solid Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 and will be important for his team with bat and ball.
Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be the two finishers for the team. The left-hander will be crucial for the team as he has been carrying his golden form with the bat and would want to make an impact. On the other hand, the all-rounder has been put a big striker forward in international cricket and would want to replicate his efforts from Tests in Australia to T20Is.
Spinners: Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy
Axar Patel, who has been appointed as the vice-captain of the team, will be the spinner in the team. While Varun Chakaravarthy will be the second spinner. The mystery spinner has been sensational with the ball in the last two series and would be hoping to carry his good form.
Pacers: Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh
Mohammed Shami will be making his comeback for the team after a long injury break. Arshdeep Singh will be the second pacer in the team.
Here's India playing XI for the first T20I against England prediction
Sanju Samson (wk)
Abhishek Sharma
Tilak Varma
Suryakumar Yadav
Hardik Pandya
Rinku Singh
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Axar Patel
Varun Chakaravarthy
Mohammed Shami
Arshdeep Singh
India squad for the England T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (vc), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk).
