Suryakumar Yadav to captain the 15-member squad; Mohammed Shami makes a comeback after a long injury layoff.
New Delhi, January 12: Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has made a much-anticipated return to the Indian T20I squad, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the 15-member team for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England.
Jasprit Bumrah, who recently led India in Tests against Australia, has been rested for the series. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team, with Axar Patel named as vice-captain.
Key Inclusions and Young Talent
The squad continues to feature promising youngsters such as Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel. Seamer Harshit Rana, who missed out on playing in the T20I series against South Africa, retains his spot.
Shami’s return is a major highlight. The 34-year-old last played for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup final before undergoing ankle surgery, which sidelined him for nearly a year. Shami’s recent performances in domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, helped secure his place in the squad.
India’s Bowling Arsenal
The pace attack will be spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Shami. In the spin department, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar will look to provide variety and control.
T20I Schedule
The five-match series begins on January 22 in Kolkata. Chennai and Rajkot will host the second and third matches on January 25 and 28, respectively. Pune will host the fourth game on January 31, with the final match scheduled for February 2 in Mumbai.
India’s Squad for England T20Is
- Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
- Vice-Captain: Axar Patel
- Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel
- Batters: Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar
With a balanced mix of experience and youth, India will aim to make a strong statement in the series while building momentum for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.