The action-packed T20 cricket series between India and England kicks off with the first match on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. With the excitement of shorter-format cricket returning, fans can look forward to thrilling encounters as India, the reigning T20 World Cup champions, prepare for their title defense next year.
India Gears Up for a New Challenge
Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian squad, with Axar Patel serving as vice-captain. Mohammed Shami is set to make his much-anticipated return to the team after more than a year away. India’s batting line-up, bolstered by stars like Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh, promises an electrifying start to the five-match series.
India has a slight historical edge over England in T20Is, with 13 wins out of 24 matches. Their last clash was during the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final, where India emerged victorious in a memorable game.
England’s Strategy for the Series
England’s squad, led by Jos Buttler, also boasts an impressive roster. The visitors have already announced their playing XI for the first match, with Phil Salt taking on wicketkeeping duties while Buttler focuses on his leadership role. England’s batting line-up includes power hitters like Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, and young talent Jacob Bethell.
Key Match Details
- Date: January 22, 2025
- Time: Match starts at 7:00 PM IST (Toss at 6:30 PM IST)
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Where to Watch
- Television: The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Channels include:
- Star Sports 1 (HD & SD)
- Star Sports 1 Hindi (HD & SD)
- Star Sports 1 Tamil (HD & SD)
- Star Sports 1 Telugu (HD & SD)
- Star Sports 1 Kannada (SD)
- Online Streaming: Fans can watch the live streaming on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website.
Squads
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (VC), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel
England (Playing XI): Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (WK), Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
What to Expect
As both teams bring star-studded line-ups to the field, fans can anticipate a high-intensity game with plenty of runs on the board. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exhilarating start to the series.
