New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami makes a significant return to the team, while Jasprit Bumrah has been rested following his leadership duties in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s Perth and Sydney Tests.
Suryakumar Yadav to Lead, Axar Patel Named Vice-Captain
Dynamic batter Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain for this series, with all-rounder Axar Patel serving as the vice-captain. Both players are expected to play pivotal roles in shaping India’s campaign against the Three Lions.
Youthful Energy in the Squad
The squad sees the continuation of promising youngsters Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel, all of whom impressed in their previous outings. Harshit Rana, who was part of the T20I squad against South Africa but did not get an opportunity to play, has also been included.
Shami’s Remarkable Comeback
Shami’s inclusion has been one of the key highlights of the announcement. The experienced pacer, now 34, is set to don the Indian jersey once again after overcoming multiple challenges. Following an ankle surgery that sidelined him for nearly a year, Shami made a strong return to domestic cricket, featuring for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Ranji Trophy. His last international appearance was in the ODI World Cup 2023 final.
Bowling Attack Led by Experience and Youth
India’s bowling unit for the series will feature a blend of experience and youthful exuberance. Shami, along with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, will lead the pace attack. The spin department will see contributions from Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar.
Series Schedule
The five-match T20I series is set to commence on January 22 in Kolkata. Chennai and Rajkot will host the second and third games on January 25 and 28, respectively. The penultimate match is scheduled for January 31 in Pune, with the series finale taking place on February 2 in Mumbai.
India’s T20I Squad Against England
Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
Vice-Captain: Axar Patel
Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel
With an exciting blend of seasoned players and emerging talent, India will look to dominate England in this highly anticipated series.
