The Indian cricket team’s T20I squad for the five-match series against England is expected to be revealed this weekend. With star players like Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant rested, the spotlight shifts to young talents such as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Tilak Varma. The series begins on January 22 in Kolkata, and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is scheduled to finalize the squad after the BCCI AGM in Mumbai on Saturday evening.
Champions Trophy Squad Delayed
While the T20I squad announcement is imminent, discussions on India’s Champions Trophy team have reportedly been deferred until next weekend. The upcoming three ODIs against England, following the T20Is, will serve as crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy, set to commence on February 19. Notably, India has not played an ODI since August last year.
India’s Revamped T20I Approach
Under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, India has adopted an aggressive, slam-bang style in T20Is. This strategy has yielded consistent success, with victories against Bangladesh and South Africa in recent months. As such, significant changes to the core T20I squad are unlikely.
Sanju Samson, who scored two centuries while opening in South Africa, is set to retain his position as the first-choice wicketkeeper. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant is expected to be rested to ensure full fitness for the Champions Trophy. Similarly, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, after busy schedules, will likely sit out to focus on upcoming ODIs and the marquee ICC event.
Tilak Varma, who made history by scoring consecutive T20I centuries in South Africa, is expected to bat at No. 3.
Bumrah and Siraj Rested; Arshdeep to Lead Pace Attack
Jasprit Bumrah, recovering from a back injury, and Mohammed Siraj, who featured in all five Tests in Australia, will not be part of the T20I squad. This paves the way for Arshdeep Singh to spearhead the pace attack. With Mayank Yadav still unfit, Avesh Khan and Harshit Rana are potential options to bolster the pace department.
In the spin department, the trio of Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel are expected to share responsibilities.
All-Rounders and Comebacks
Hardik Pandya remains the first-choice all-rounder, while Shivam Dube is likely to make a return after missing the South Africa T20Is due to injury. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed in the Bangladesh series and during the Australia tour, is also set for a comeback. However, he is unlikely to feature in the Champions Trophy squad.
Uncertainty Around Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag’s fitness status remains unclear. Despite notable contributions in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, he has been sidelined since the South Africa T20Is due to injury and hasn’t played domestic cricket this season.
Conclusion
With a mix of seasoned performers and emerging stars, India’s T20I squad is expected to maintain its aggressive approach under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership. The series against England will provide valuable opportunities to fine-tune the squad as the team gears up for the Champions Trophy next month.
