IND vs ENG : Mohammed Shami In, Washington Sundar Out- India's Predicted XI For 1st T20I

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IND vs ENG : India are set to host England in an exciting five-match T20I series, beginning on January 22 at the historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The Indian team, reigning T20 World Cup champions, have been in remarkable form in limited-overs cricket.

They have registered dominant victories over teams like Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and South Africa in recent months.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav has played a pivotal role in India's success till now in the shortest format, showcasing his leadership and match-winning abilities. However, the upcoming series against England presents a different level of challenge.

England, known for their aggressive style of play and depth in both batting and bowling, will test India's consistency and adaptability in the shortest format of the game. This clash promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the top T20I sides.

The Men in Blue are likely to strategize carefully for the first T20I against England, keeping in mind the impact of dew in the second innings in Kolkata. Dew makes gripping the ball challenging for spinners, which might lead India to include primarily defensive spinners in their line-up to maintain control during the game.

Axar Patel, who has recently been promoted to vice-captaincy, is a confirmed inclusion in the playing XI. His all-round capabilities and consistent performances make him a key player. Varun Chakravarthy is also expected to feature prominently due to his familiarity with the Eden Gardens conditions and his impressive form in the previous T20I series against South Africa.

The spotlight will also be on Mohammed Shami, who is set to make his much-anticipated return to international cricket after a prolonged injury layoff. Shami has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup Final due to ankle and knee injuries. His return is significant for India, particularly in the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

The 34-year-old's experience and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations will provide a vital boost to India's bowling attack as they take on a formidable England side.

India Predicted XI : Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy.