Captain Jos Buttler: England have announced their playing XI for the first T20I against India, starting on Wednesday here at Eden Gardens. The game will mark the beginning of the Brendon McCullum white ball era for the side.
Phil Salt, who rose to prominence for his exploits during the 2024 IPL season, will keep wicket and open the batting along with Nottinghamshire’s Ben Duckett. Captain Jos Buttler will bat at three while Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will lead the pace attack.
McCullum, the promoter of Bazball cricket in the longest format of the game, steps into white-ball cricket with the five-match T20I series followed by three ODIs against India and leading up to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai in February-March.
India, on the other hand, yet to announce their playing XI, have named a 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series.
India spearhead Mohammad Shami returns to the national team following an ankle injury needing surgery that kept him out of action for nearly a year. Wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson has retained his place in the side after an excellent performance during India’s tour of South Africa.
Nitesh Kumar Reddy has also been named in the squad after his impressive performances in the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy series.
McCullum’s England will start with the first T20I at Kolkata on Wednesday before travelling to Chennai (Jan 25), Rajkot (Jan 28), Pune (Jan 31), and Mumbai (Feb 2) for the remaining four T20Is.
The ODIs will be played at Nagpur (Feb 6), Cuttack (Feb 9) and Ahmedabad (Feb 12). England will later fly to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
McCullum’s England will start with the first T20I at Kolkata on Wednesday before travelling to Chennai (Jan 25), Rajkot (Jan 28), Pune (Jan 31), and Mumbai (Feb 2) for the remaining four T20Is.
Article Source: IANS
