Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

After a long Test season, the Indian team is set to return in the limited overs format as they are scheduled to host England for a five-match T20I series. The first T20I of the series will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22. The current world T20 champions, India will be looking to continue their winning run in the shortest format and end up winning another T20I series at home. However, it won't be an easy task against the strong English side who are known for their attacking gameplay in the shorter format of the game. 

India have formed a new T20I lineup after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement post the 2024 T20 World Cup win. India’s star T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as new captain in the shortest format. Ahead of the first T20I against England, India will be looking to go ahead with a strong XI to take a lead of 1-0 in the series. Let’s have a look at India’s probable playing XI for the first T20I versus England.

India’s probable XI for 1st T20I vs England

Openers: Sanju Samson (wk) and Abhishek Sharma

sanju samson wk and abhishek sharma sportstiger

India will be looking to go ahead with the same opening pair including Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma in the first T20I. Samson has shown a great form in the shortest format in the last few months and ended up hitting three hundreds in the last five T20I innings for India. He will be seen opening the innings with young batter Abhishek, who is known for giving fiery starts.