New Delhi [India], January 21: The England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced their Playing XI for the first T20I against India, scheduled for Wednesday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Phil Salt will open alongside Ben Duckett, with Salt taking on wicketkeeping duties in the absence of captain Jos Buttler. Earlier in the day, ECB named Harry Brook as vice-captain for the T20I series against India, with Buttler and Brook, along with Liam Livingstone, forming the middle order.
Jacob Bethell, who last played a T20I in November 2024, returns to the playing eleven, while all-rounder Jamie Overton also makes the lineup. The pace attack for England will feature Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood, while Adil Rashid is the sole spinner in the side.
“Firepower with bat and ball. Brendon McCullum has named the first white-ball team of his reign for tomorrow’s opening IT20 v India,” the ECB wrote on X, announcing the squad.
The five-match T20I series kicks off on January 22 at Eden Gardens. The second match will be played on January 25 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, followed by matches in Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai.
England’s Playing XI: Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (WK), Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.