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England announced their playing 11 for the T20I series opener against India at Eden Gardens. Jos Buttler will lead, with Phil Salt as wicketkeeper. Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell will debut in India.
Ben Duckett could open the batting with Jos Buttler coming at 2. (Image: AFP)
England on Tuesday announced their playing 11 for the T20I series opener against India that is set to be held at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata
As expected, Jos Buttler will lead the side but will not be the team’s designated wicketkeeper-batter. The skipper has instead handed the duties to Phil Salt as done in their previous T20I series against the West Indies. Salt, who played for the Kolkata Knight Riders, will have plenty of experience playing in the Eden Gardens and would look to make the most of his time in Kolkata.
Ben Duckett, who has been a regular in the Test squad, is set to play his first T20I game in India. On several occasions, he has shown some fine aggressive batting at the top of the order, and the Buttler-led side could look to him for a quick start.
Buttler, along with Salt, Liam Livingstone, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Adil Rashid, will look to make use of their experience having played in Indian conditions on several occasions during their respective stints in the IPL.
The 21-year-old all-rounder Jacob Bethell, will also have his first experience playing in India. He was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the recent auction, and the franchise would be keeping close tabs on the youngster and his performances in the country.
Express pacer Mark Wood also makes his return to the side after his last international appearance in August 2024. He will hope that injuries will not derail his preparations ahead of the Champions Trophy campaign.
In addition, Archer will be keen on re-discovering his best form, as he had shown in the 2019 ODI World Cup and during his stint with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. After multiple injury concerns, the pacer has struggled to find his mojo, and the India series could be the perfect catalyst to get back to his best.
Once again, the England bowling unit will be depending on the leg-spinner, Adil Rashid, for some breakthroughs in the middle stages of the innings. England has as many as seven bowling options to pick from, with three spinners and four pacers in their playing 11.
England’s Playing 11 For 1st T20I: Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
