England announce playing XI for IND vs ENG 1st T20I: Buttler to captain, Salt to keep wickets

England have unveiled their playing XI for IND vs ENG 1st T20I which will take place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22

England cricket team have announced their playing XI for the IND vs ENG 1st T20I which will take place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22. Jos Buttler will lead the side but will not be donning the keeper’s gloves. Instead, Phil Salt will assume the role behind the wicket. England’s pace department comprises of the trio of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson.

England’s playing XI for IND vs ENG 1st T20I

1. Phil Salt (wk)
2. Ben Duckett
3. Jos Buttler (C)
4. Harry Brook
5. Liam Livingstone
6. Jacob Bethell
7. Jamie Overton
8. Gus Atkinson
9. Jofra Archer
10. Adil Rashid
11. Mark Wood

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England boast of a formidable batting order featuring the likes of big hitters like Salt, Buttler, Duckett, Livingstone and Harry Brook. The team had made it clear that the captain would not be donning the wicketkeeper’s gloves, which means Salt will be the man behind the stumps for the side. Jacob Bethell, who has impressed since making his debut last year against Australia, finds a spot in the side, adding to the destructive firepower of the England batting line-up.

England have included only one specialist spinner in the form of Adil Rashid. The team has included four pacers in the line-up, namely Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. However, there are no lack of spin options for the visitors, given that both Livingstone and Bethell can roll their arms over.

The team has decided to leave out Saqib Mahmood, Rehan Ahmed, Brydon Carse and keeper Jamie Smith from the playing XI. England will be aiming to get off to a victorious start as the lock horns with defending T20 World Cup champions India, and will be aiming to avenge the team’s Test series loss at the start of 2024.