The England cricket team has named a formidable playing XI for the first T20I against India, set to take place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22.
The match is eagerly awaited, as it marks the return of fast bowler Gus Atkinson, who has been out of action for over a year. Atkinson's inclusion is significant, as he has been sidelined since his last appearance in the West Indies tour in December 2023.
His return brings an added boost to the England bowling attack, especially as they look to take on a formidable Indian side in their own backyard.
Atkinson's recent performances in T20Is have been impressive, with six wickets in three matches at an economy rate of 9.50. He will join the pace attack, which includes seasoned bowlers such as Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, and Mark Wood.
This quartet forms a strong bowling line-up that will pose a significant challenge to India’s batting order. Atkinson, who has mainly excelled in the Test format, will be hoping to make a successful transition to white-ball cricket with this series.
In addition to the fast-bowling strength, England also has options in the spin department. Adil Rashid, one of their key spinners, will take the lead in this area, supported by the part-time bowling options of Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell.
The all-rounders in the squad, such as Livingstone, will offer flexibility in both batting and bowling, which adds depth to England's overall line-up.
The England squad arrived in India on January 18 and began their training sessions. Liam Livingstone, who had been playing in the SA20 in South Africa, was the first player to join the team.
The rest of the squad followed shortly after, having completed their training camp in Dubai. England’s preparation for the series has been methodical, ensuring they are well-equipped for the challenge that lies ahead.
The playing XI announced for the first T20I against India consists of several exciting players. Opening the batting will be Ben Duckett and Phil Salt, with Salt also taking the wicketkeeping duties.
The experienced Jos Buttler, who will captain the team, will provide stability in the middle order, alongside the in-form Harry Brook.
Livingstone, Bethell, and the pace-bowling trio of Archer, Atkinson, and Wood complete the strong line-up. Rashid’s spin expertise will add the final touch to the squad, giving England a balanced attack.
Looking at England’s past record against India in T20Is, the competition has been fiercely contested. England has won 11 of their 24 encounters against India since their first meeting in the 2007 Men’s T20 World Cup.
On Indian soil, England has managed to win five out of 11 matches. However, they have not won a bilateral T20I series in India since their 1-0 triumph in 2011.
The most recent series between the two teams saw India emerge victorious, winning 3-2. In their last meeting, India defeated England by 68 runs in the semi-final of the Men’s T20 World Cup at Providence Stadium in Guyana.
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