Team India will look to put their disappointing T20I campaign behind them when they face England in the opening ODI of the three-match series at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14. After enduring back-to-back T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, the Men in Blue now have an opportunity to reset in the 50-over format with the return of several experienced stars.

The biggest positive for India is the comeback of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, who join captain Shubman Gill in a much stronger-looking ODI squad. Their return significantly boosts India’s chances after a youthful side struggled for consistency during the T20I leg of the tour. With preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup already underway, the series presents an ideal opportunity for India to rebuild confidence and establish momentum.

England, meanwhile, will enter the ODI series with plenty of belief after their dominant performances in the T20Is. The hosts outplayed India throughout the series, with their bowlers laying the platform before the batting unit, led by Jos Buttler and Harry Brook, finished strongly in the final match. Despite that success, England’s ODI form has been inconsistent over the past 18 months. The former world champions have suffered bilateral series defeats against India, South Africa and New Zealand since the start of 2025 and also failed to reach the knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy.

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For India, the focus will be on rediscovering their identity in the 50-over format under Gill’s leadership while putting recent criticism behind them. For England, the series offers an opportunity to build consistency in ODIs after their impressive T20I performances.

Conditions at Edgbaston are expected to be ideal for cricket, with clear skies forecast for the series opener. The venue has produced contrasting results in recent white-ball matches. England piled up 400 runs against the West Indies in an ODI earlier this year, while a recent Women’s T20 World Cup fixture between South Africa and Pakistan turned into a low-scoring contest. With quality players on both sides, another entertaining encounter is expected as two of cricket’s biggest rivals begin an important ODI series.

England

England have handed fast bowler Josh Tongue his ODI debut after his impressive performances in the recently concluded T20I series against India. Jacob Bethell will partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order, becoming Duckett’s fourth opening partner in ODIs since the start of 2025.

Playing XI: Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid

India

India, meanwhile, face a key selection dilemma in the absence of Hardik Pandya. The team management must decide whether to include Shivam Dube as the seam-bowling all-rounder or continue with two spin-bowling all-rounders. With Harshit Rana ruled out due to injury, either Prasidh Krishna or Gurnoor Brar is expected to complete India’s pace attack.

Probable XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna/ Gurnoor Brar