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Cricket News: India possible playing 11 for 1st T20 against England | ENG vs IND What is India’s probable playing XI for 1st T20 vs England
India and England will face-off for the first game of their upcoming T20I series at Hampshire on Thursday. Rohit Sharma will return from his Covid-induced break to lead the Indian side as the visitors will look to script a comeback after a crushing defeat in the fifth Test on Tuesday.
The two sides have met each in 19 T20Is so far with India winning 10 of them and England emerging victorious in the rest of the games. Both countries last met for a T20I series back in February 2021 and India had claimed that series by a margin of 3-2.
India predicted playing 11 for 1st T20 vs England
Here is the predicted Indian playing XI for the first T20I:
1. Rohit Sharma (C)
Rohit Sharma will be eyeing to make a strong return to the playing XI. He is certainly well-set to make a strong statement with an average and strike rate of 39.63 and 143.44 against England in T20Is. Rohit’s presence will arguably add more solidity, flair and consistency to the top-order in this series.
2. Ishan Kishan (WK)
Ishan Kishan seems to be the side’s designated back-up opener and he will take this slot in the absence of KL Rahul on Thursday. The southpaw’s maiden T20I half-century came against England last year and he will be expected to go all guns blazing with the bat right from the onset.
3. Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda was in scintillating form in the recent series vs Ireland where he struck 151 runs in two games. It included a sensational knock of 104* in the second T20I and Hooda is likely to be awarded with continuity at the top of the order for his heroics.
4. Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav will hold the middle-order together and must be eager to reiterate his credentials. His recent injury layoff has put some other contenders ahead of him for the coveted number four slot in the playing XI. Yadav averages 44.50 at a strike rate of 188.42 in three T20Is vs England and will hold the key to India’s chances in this series.
5. Hardik Pandya
Hardik led India in Ireland recently after a successful first season as captain of the Gujarat Titans. He provides India with crucial balance with bat and ball.
6. Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik’s specialist finishing abilities seem to be aptly recognised and rewarded by the current team management. This series gives Karthik a chance to showcase his unique skillsets in front of a top-notch T20 bowling unit.
7. Axar Patel
Axar Patel’s batting needs to come into fore more prominently for him to seriously challenge for the number seven slot. Ravindra Jadeja’s return to form in the Edgbaston Test suggests that he remains to be the top contender for the position otherwise. Axar will continue to feature in the XI for this game though.
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has shown signs of regaining his old mojo in recent T20Is. With his trademark guile and experience, Bhuvneshwar will be the ideal candidate to partner Jasprit Bumrah in the World T20 later on this year.
He has taken five wickets at a strike rate of 30.80 against England in seven T20Is. The pacer will be looking to overhaul this arguably underwhelming record in the next three games.
9. Harshal Patel
Harshal Patel had a horrid game in the second T20I vs Ireland. However, the series vs England presents to him an excellent opportunity to prove his T20 bowling credentials in foreign conditions. With 19 wickets in 14 games, Harshal seems to be doing quite well since debuting for India in T20Is last November.
10. Avesh Khan
Avesh’s ability to hit the deck hard is appreciated in the current setup. In Bumrah’s presence, he will possibly battle with Harshal for the third seamer’s lot. However, Thursday’s game is another opportunity for the Lucknow Super Giants pacer to showcase his skills against a prominent opposition in hostile conditions.
11. Yuzvendra Chahal
Yuzvendra Chahal has taken 12 wickets at an economy rate of 8.22 in nine T20Is against England. His skillsets will definitely trouble some English batsmen and will be critical to India’s chances in the upcoming series after he recently took the most wickets by a spinner in a single IPL season.
