England will be eyeing a winning start to their India tour when they take on the hosts in the first T20I of the five-match series. series. The series opener is scheduled to be played on Wednesday (January 22) at Eden Gardens.
England's last T20I assignment was the five-match series in the West Indies. The two-time T20 World Cup winners had won that series 3-1 and will be keen to win the series against India as well. While India will start the series as firm favourites, England have enough firepower to stun their fancied hosts.
As the visitors look for a winning start to the series, we take a look at the England Playing XI for the first IND vs ENG T20I. The visitors have already announced that they will play 11 for the series opener.
England Playing 11 vs India – England Tour to India 2025:
Openers: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett
England will have a new opening combination for the first T20I against India. Phil Salt and Ben Duckett will be the openers in England, playing 11 for the series opener.
While Will Jacks and Salt opened the innings against the West Indies a few months ago, Duckett will replace the former in the upcoming series.
Duckett recently played in the Big Bash League in Australia and hit three half-centuries. The southpaw will be eyeing a good show against India as well.
Salt, on the other hand, has vast experience of playing in India. He had a memorable IPL season with champions Kolkata Knight Riders last year and will be keen to give England a good start.
Middle order batsmen and allrounders: Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton
England head coach Brendon McCullum has already confirmed that Jos Buttler will continue to bat at number four. One of the best T20 batsmen in the world, Buttler will be looking to lead his side from the front in the challenging series.
Buttler has vast experience in Indian conditions thanks to his participation in the IPL and will look to make the most of it.
Harry Brook is expected to be the number four batsman in the England Playing 11. The right-handed batsman, who was recently named the team's vice-captain, last played for England during the three-match Test series in New Zealand. Brook had scored two centuries and fifties in that series.
Jaco Bethell will be another batting option in the England Playing 11. The left-handed batsman impressed with the bat against the West Indies in November, scoring 127 runs in 4 games, including two fifties. He will look to deliver against India as well.
The other options in England's middle order are pacers Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton. Both players have vast T20 experience and will be looking to make an impact in the upcoming match.
Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson
Three front-line pacers and a spinner will form England's bowling line-up Playing 11. Mark Wood, Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson will be the three fast bowlers while Adil Rashid will be the tip of the spear. Livingstone and Overton are also other bowling options for tourists.