India vs England 2025 1st T20 Best Playing 11 for Both Teams
Axar Patel, the new Vice Captain in our strongest possible playing 11 for the India vs England 2025 1st T20 International.
It’s time for the first T20 series of the year for Team India, and it is England who will be touring Team India for a 5-match T20 series. The T20 series kick-starts on January 22 with the first match being played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This is the second time India will be playing England at Eden Gardens in T20Is. The last time India played England at Eden Gardens, India scored 120 runs in 20 overs, which England chased comfortably in 19 overs.
However, overall Team India have a better record against England in T20Is. Of the 24 matches that India and England have played in T20Is, India have won 13 and England have won 11. In terms of 3 matches or more series, India have never lost a series to England with a 100% win record. Even in the last T20 series in 2021 in India, Team India comfortably defeated England 3-2 in a 5-match T20 series.
Having said that, past records are good for reference, but they can’t be taken as a thumb rule to gauge the current team strength. Both teams look superbly strong on paper, and have potent match winners with them. It will all come down to executing the plans perfectly. So, as we wait for the match to begin, let’s in the meantime look at the best possible playing 11 for India vs England 2025 1st T20 International.
India vs England 2025 Key Match Details:
Series: England Tour of India 2025
Match Type: India vs England 1st T20I 2025
Where: Kolkata, India
When: January 22, 2025, 7 pm IST
India vs England 2025 Official T20 Squad and Players List
Batters: Rinku Singh, Suryakumar Yadav (c) & Tilak Varma
Wicket-keepers: Dhruv Jurel & Sanju Samson
All-rounders: Abhishek Sharma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy & Washington Sundar
Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi & Varun Chakravarthy
India vs England 2025 T20 Playing 11 Revealed
Team India selected only Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma among openers in the squad. So, expect India to continue with the same opening combination that played in the last T20 series vs South Africa. While Sanju has been in brilliant form, all eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma, who hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations in T20Is aside from the century he hit against Zimbabwe. Sadly, India will have to wait for the Indian Premier League 2025 before they see Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson opening the innings.
Coming to middle-order, India will continue with the same combination that played against South Africa. So, expect Suryakumar Yadav to sacrifice his number 3 position once again, and let Tilak Varma play at that position. Tilak did superb against South Africa with back-to-back centuries. He seems to be in brilliant form, and continuing him at 3 will once again be on the cards for Suryakumar Yadav.
With Tilak Varma at 3, Suryakumar Yadav should continue to play at number 4. SKY is currently going through a lean patch in T20Is with not-so-good returns in the format. However, he is a class player, and in the upcoming five matches, expect SKY to show is class. For number 5, India will be flexible in the batting order. Anyone from Rinku, Axar, Nitish, and even Hardik can come to play depending on the match situation.
Flexible Batting-order
If India need someone to tackle the spinners, Axar Patel can play that role. If India lose 3 wickets before 10 overs, Rinku Singh can come on. Meanwhile, if there are more off-spinners in the opposition, Nitish Reddy can get a go. Whereas if India need quick runs in the death overs, Hardik can be their go-to man. Having this flexibility, and batting depth till 8 is a welcome bonus for the team.
Coming to the bowling lineup, India will see 3 primary bowlers, and 3 all-rounders. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami should lead the pace bowling attack for Team India with support from Hardik Pandya and Nitish Reddy. Whereas spin bowling should be led by Varun Chakravarthy with support from Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma. It’s a great bowling attack for India with as many as 7 bowling options.
India vs England 2025 1st T20 Series Best Playing 11 for Indian Team
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Tilak Varma
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Rinku Singh
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Nitish Reddy
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mohammed Shami
- Varun Chakravarthy
Coming to England’s playing 11, the top-order looks pretty strong for them with Phil Salt and Will Jacks opening, and Jos Buttler batting at 3. It can’t get any stronger when it comes to the top-order. The middle-order also seems strong with Jacob Bethell at 4, Harry Brook at 5, and Liam Livingstone at 6 as the finisher. However, batting depth seems to be missing for England if they rely on Jamie Overton and Rehan Ahmed. Meanwhile, bowling is once again strong with Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Adil Rashid in the mix.
India vs Eng 2025 1st T20 Series Best Playing 11 for England
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Will Jacks
- Jos Buttler (c)
- Jacob Bethell
- Harry Brook
- Liam Livingstone
- Jamie Overton
- Rehan Ahmed
- Mark Wood
- Adil Rashid
- Jofra Archer
India vs England 2025 1st T20 Best Fantasy Playing 11:
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav & Tilak Varma
Wks: Phil Salt, Sanju Samson & Jos Buttler
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya
Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy & Mohammed Shami
CVC Choice: Suryakumar Yadav & Phil Salt
Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for India vs England 1st T20 2025? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
