IND vs ENG T20I series: Mohammed Shami in focus as India eyes fresh start against England

The white-ball rubber, comprising five T20Is and three ODIs after that, presents an ideal platform for both the teams to experiment with combinations and assess form before next month's Champions Trophy.

With the change in colours of the ball and clothing, India, mostly with a different set of personnel, will be keen to live up to its World champion’s tag in the five-match T20I series against England, dubbed as ‘SKYball’ vs ‘Bazball,’ and redeem some pride following its Test series debacle in home and away against New Zealand and Australia respectively.

As the two sides need to switch fast from T20 to ODI cricket through eight matches over 19 days before taking a plunge in the prestigious Champions Trophy, a 50-over competition, in less than a month’s time, the Suryakumar Yadav-led home side will have a few challenges in hand when the series begins at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

Pace ace Mohammed Shami’s return to international cricket after 14 months’ lay-off due to injury is much-awaited. As Jasprit Bumrah is doubtful for the Champions Trophy, Shami’s fitness will be closely watched.

T20 heroes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill have been rested, whereas Nitish Reddy, the find of the tour Down Under, seamer Harshit Rana and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel have a chance to shine.

Proven hands Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh in batting and Shami, Arshdeep Singh and first-time vice-captain Axar Patel in bowling may play key roles.

The focus will also be on coach Gautam Gambhir, who has faced some criticism after the two Test series defeats. The doughty Delhiite, who coached India to T20 series wins over Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, has captained and mentored Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to title wins in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will look forward to his familiar turf and format to guide India to some positive results and revive his credibility.

England coach Brendon McCullum, a former KKR player and coach and the England Test team’s coach for more than two years, has taken over as the white ball coach of an international side for the first time and will be up for a new test.

McCullum’s entry has triggered the expectation of ‘Bazball’ cricket spicing up England’s limited overs game and reviving its fortune in limited-over World Cups.

While Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, skipper Jos Buttler and Harry Brook will be the leading batters for the visiting side, the bowling department will have the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Adil Rashid. Promising all-rounder Jacob Bethell with the experienced Liam Livingstone will provide balance.

Several English players’ IPL exposure should help the side.

While Eden has a reputation of staging exciting high-scoring duels, evening dew may impact decision-making and the course of the play.

Teams (from)

India (from): Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (v-capt.), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk).

England: Jos Buttler (capt.), Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wk), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Match starts: 7pm.

Published - January 21, 2025 03:38 pm IST