ENG vs IND: India's playing XI vs England for 1st T20I - Predicted

The ENG vs IND T20I series consists of five matches between both teams.

Following a humiliating T20I series loss against Ireland, the Indian Cricket Team are set for a big challenge. The Men in Blue will be playing the ODI and T20I series on their tour, which will begin will shortest format of the game.

The ENG vs IND T20I series comprises five matches, with the opening game scheduled to take place on July 1 at Chester-le-Street in Riverside Ground. Shreyas Iyer, who was recently appointed as India’s T20I captain, will have a big challenge to justify his leadership, especially after losing the T20I series against Ireland.

He would be keen to make a strong comeback by taking the Men in Blue to victory against England in the upcoming T20I series.

To beat England at their home, India will have to play their strongest playing XI. A victory in the opening game will be a big boost for the side. Ahead of the match, below is India’s predicted playing XI for the ENG vs IND 1st T20I.

India’s predicted playing XI vs England for the 1st T20I

1. Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma is highly likely to be retained as India’s opener in the 1st T20I against England. The left-handed batsman got out for a duck in the 2nd T20I against Ireland but played a brutal knock of 49 runs in opening match.

2. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson is expected to be the second opener for the Men-in-Blue in the first T20I against England, as India are unlikely to play Vaibhav Sooryavanshi directly at the start. Samson failed to come good against Ireland and will look for a comeback in the ENG vs IND T20I series.

3. Ishan Kishan (WK)

Left-handed batsman Ishan Kishan struggled to score big against Ireland, scoring 12 and 1 in two clashes. However, he has impressed with his performances in recent times and is expected to retain his place as a wicket-keeper.

4. Shreyas Iyer (C)

Shreyas Iyer is likely to bat at four, and would want to lead from the front. The ENG vs IND T20I series will be a big test of his captaincy. Getting out for 10 and 3 against Ireland, Iyer failed to make a mark following his return to the shortest format.

5. Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma will hold key for India in middle-order, and they will not risk benching him against England. The left-handed batsman smacked a fifty in the IRE vs IND 2nd T20I in Belfast in a losing cause and ended as the leading run-scorer for the visitors with 74 runs in two games.

6. Shivam Dube

With his ability to bowl and play the role of a finisher, Shivam Dube will be a key member of India’s playing XI against England. He looked decent against Ireland but will aim for a spectacular show in his maiden T20I campaign in England. He clinched three wickets in the previous campaign.

7. Axar Patel

Axar Patel is the most senior all-rounder for India and has a huge responsibility with both bat and ball against England. In the previous series against Ireland, the 32-year-old scored 29 runs and picked two wickets at an economy of 7.62.

8. Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar featured in only one game in the last T20I series against Ireland, in which he got out for nine runs and was too expensive in the only over he bowled. However, his experience will benefit India in the series against England.

9. Harshit Rana

In the absence of senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah, a lot will rely on Harshit Rana against England. The right-arm pacer impressed with his form against Ireland, bagging four scalps. Rana can also help with his batting in the lower-order.

10. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh will lead the team’s pace attack in the T20I series against England and look to continue the brilliant form that he showed in the previous campaign. He clinched four wickets in two matches at an economy of 7.87.

11. Prince Yadav

Prince Yadav is likely to be preferred over Prasidh Krishna as a pacer in the playing XI as happened in the 2nd T20I against Ireland. After a comeback to the T20Is following a two-year gap, Krishna remained too expensive against Ireland in the opening game.

The right-arm pacer leaked 57 runs in his four-over spell. Prince, who replaced Prasidh in the second game, impressed with a three-wicket haul (3/22) on his T20I debut.

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