The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting January 22. The series is expected to offer exciting cricket while also serving as a testing ground for key players ahead of major tournaments like the Champions Trophy 2025.
One of the biggest highlights of the squad is Mohammed Shami’s return to the national side after over a year. Shami, who last played for India during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, has been out of action since. His inclusion provides a crucial opportunity for selectors to assess his fitness and readiness for the international stage once again.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side as expected, while Axar Patel’s appointment as vice-captain is an intriguing move. Axar’s consistent performances in recent matches have clearly earned him a leadership role in the team.
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For the wicketkeeping duties, Sanju Samson remains the primary choice, with Dhruv Jurel named as the backup. Jurel, who made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe, has played just two games so far and is yet to leave a significant mark with the bat. This series could offer him valuable opportunities to showcase his skills.
A look at the Suryakumar Yadav-led squad for the T20I series against England 🙌#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/nrEs1uWRos
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2025
Harshit Rana, who recently debuted in Tests in Australia, has also been included. Although he didn’t feature in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh, the England series may present a chance for the young pacer to make his T20I debut.
Varun Chakravarthy retains his spot as the mystery-spinner continues his stellar form. After finishing as the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2024, he further impressed in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including a match-winning five-wicket haul against Rajasthan in the pre-quarterfinal. His performances make him a key asset for the series.
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The matches will be played across five iconic venues: Kolkata, Chennai, Saurashtra, Pune, and Mumbai, promising fans a thrilling cricketing spectacle. With a mix of experienced players and young talent, India looks well-prepared for the high-stakes series against England.
India’s T20I Squad vs England: 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).
