IND vs ENG, India Team Announcement: The Indian team for the five-match home T20 series against England was announced on Saturday (January 11). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member team for this series. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the Indian team in the T20 series. The team also includes star players like Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh and Arshdeep Singh.
Akshar Patel becomes vice-captain
The biggest thing about the team selection for the T20 series was Akshar Patel becoming the vice-captain. The decision to appoint Akshar as vice-captain was shocking. It is noteworthy that there was no vice-captain in the Indian team during the T20 series against South Africa and Bangladesh. Before that, Shubman Gill had played this role during the Sri Lanka series. Hardik Pandya is also a part of the team, but giving importance to Axar Patel instead of him is an indication that the selectors want to test other options for the leadership role.
Rishabh Pant is not part of the team
Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel was re-entered into the T20 team, but Rishabh Pant was not included. Pant played his last T20 International match last year on the Sri Lanka tour. Jurel has been included in the 15-member team as a backup wicketkeeper, while Sanju Samson has been selected in the team as the first choice wicketkeeper. Jurel played 2 T20 matches for India during the Zimbabwe tour.
On the other hand, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy also managed to make a place in the T20 team. All three were part of the Indian team on the recent Australian tour. Players like Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal have been given rest. These players are likely to be in the team for the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy.
Mohammed Shami returns after 14 months
A big thing about the selection was the return of experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Shami was away from action after the 2023 ODI World Cup. 34-year-old Mohammed Shami has returned to the Indian team after almost 14 months. Shami had undergone surgery after the ODI World Cup 2023. Shami also missed the recent Australia tour due to swelling in his left knee.
5 players who were part of South Africa tour are out
All-rounder Ramandeep Singh, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, Vijaykumar Vaishak, Yash Dayal and Avesh Khan were part of the Indian team in the T20 series on South African soil. However, these five players have not been included in the team this time. Right arm pacers Avesh Khan and Ramandeep Singh were successful in playing matches on the Africa tour. But left arm fast bowler Yash, right arm fast bowler Vijaykumar and Jitesh Sharma could not play any match on that tour.
Four spin bowlers included in the team
Indian pitches are considered spin friendly. In view of this, four spinners have been included in the squad for the T20 series. These include the names of Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakraborty and Ravi Bishnoi. The special thing is that Akshar and Sundar are also excellent batsmen, hence with their presence, the batting order of Team India also looks quite strong.
Indian team for T20 series against England: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakraborty, Ravi Bishnoi. , Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper).
Let us tell you that on the India tour, the England team will first play a 5-match T20 series. The first match will be played in Kolkata on 22 January. After T20, there will be a 3-match ODI series between India and England. Champions Trophy will also be in ODI format. In such a situation, this series is going to be a practice for both the teams. The first ODI of the series will be held in Nagpur on 6 February.
England tour of India
1st T20- 22 January- Kolkata
Second T20- 25 January- Chennai
Third T20- 28 January- Rajkot
Fourth T20- 31 January- Pune
Fifth T20- 2 February- Mumbai
1st ODI- 6 February- Nagpur
Second ODI – 9 February – Cuttack
Third ODI- 12 February- Ahmedabad
