ENG Announce Playing XI: Joe Root Returns for the first ODI
England has finalized its playing XI for the first ODI to be played against India on Thursday in Nagpur. The team is pretty much the same as that was playing the T20I, with one significant inclusion that of Joe Root, who has not played an ODI in over a year.
The inclusion of Joe Root does make the middle order of England more formidable as the middle order did not deliver when needed in the series of T20I. After a heartbreaking defeat in T20Is at the hands of West Indies 4-1, Jos Buttler’s side looks to revive that in this crunch three-match ODI series. The ODIs will be hosted in Cuttack and Ahmedabad too. The series is crucial for both teams as they go into the preparation stages of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, commencing on February 19.
In a playing XI of England for the first ODI, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett lead the innings with Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone. Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood, and Mark Wood rested. And, ultimately, Buttler said execution has the most importance for the side in their aggressive approach.
Jasprit Bumrah Ruled Out of India’s ODI Series Against England
India faces a major setback as the selectors confirm Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the three-match ODI series against England due to a back issue. They had named him in the squad with the plan that he would miss the first two ODIs but be available for the third. Later, the assessments ruled him out for the whole of the series. India will bank on pacers like Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana in the absence of Bumrah. Shami is returning to ODIs after an injury layoff.
The new Indian squad is Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Varun Chakravarthy gets maiden ODI call-up for England series
India has called up spinner Varun Chakravarthy for the upcoming series in ODIs against England. Chakravarthy was exceptional in his time in the T20I series. He will make his debut in the 50-over format.
His inclusion means the team seriously contemplates him for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which he is not even in the provisional 15-man squad for. The Champions Trophy squad can still be changed until 11th February. Chakravarthy has been quite aggressive lately in theT20I series. It might just see his first ODI in this series from February 6 to 12.
Chakravarthy played a pivotal role in India’s success in the T20I series against England. He took 14 wickets and was even adjudged Man of the Series for this series. He has taken 31 wickets in 12 matches at an astonishing average of 11.25. Varun Chakravarthy has a career strike rate of 8.9 in T20I.
Rohit Sharma will captain the Indian team for the ODI series. The players include Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive 37-Ball Century in 5th T20I
On February 2, against England in the fifth T20I, Abhishek Sharma provided explosive batting. He hit his second T20I hundred in just 37 balls-the second-quickest for an Indian in T20Is. His blistering knock ensured India put up a mountainous total. He remained not out on 135 off 54 balls with seven fours and a record 13 sixes. His knock formed the backbone of a huge 150-run win for India and ensured them a 4-1 series triumph. Abhishek Sharma has been in fantastic form. It earned him a call-up to T20I with sparkling performances through the 2024 IPL.
Sharma now closes the deal with him ending among the two who have guaranteed himself a place, having achieved their T20I centuries within nine months. Immediately after his record-breaking innings, KL Rahul posted on social media praising Abhishek Sharma. He said that it was the best T20I innings that he ever witnessed.
IND vs ENG 2025 ODI Series Schedule
India vs England ODI , both teams will be ready to lock horns to make a final preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Here is the proper schedule of the three-match ODI series:
1st ODI – Thursday, 6th, Feb, Vidarbha
2nd ODI – Sunday, 9th, Feb, Cuttack
3rd ODI – Wednesday, 12th, Feb, Ahmedabad
