
IND vs ENG: It’s the Indian cricket team, now led by Suryakumar Yadav, who will begin a five-match T20 series against England in Kolkata on Wednesday. This series is coming after some disappointing performances for the team in the Test format, but this time, the team is returning to their much-preferred format of T20, where they have been very good.
Everyone will be waiting to see performances from key players like Sanju Samson and Phil Salt, as both teams will want to win the series opener.
India’s Aggressive Approach in T20s
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Under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, India has adopted a highly aggressive approach in the recent T20 series. The Indian team has showcased their attacking style by scoring at an impressive average run rate of 10.15 in the first six overs in their last three T20I series against South Africa, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Their run rate in the first 10 overs has been similarly aggressive at 10.47.
It is expected that this strategy will remain unchanged in the upcoming series against England. India’s top order is packed with explosive batsmen, and the team is known for setting a high tempo from the outset.
England’s Depth in Batting and Bowling
England, led by Jos Buttler, is not to be underestimated. Their playing XI has been structured with plenty of batting depth, extending well beyond their top six, with capable hitters even in the lower order. The team has also announced their strong bowling lineup, including the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, both of whom bring pace and precision to the attack.
England has been in good form as well, having defeated the West Indies 3-1 in a five-match series in November. They also faced India in the T20 World Cup semi-final last year, where India came out victorious by a comfortable margin of 68 runs. This will be the first bilateral T20 series between these two teams since July 2022, and both sides will be eager to showcase their prowess.
Kolkata Pitch: A Batting Paradise
The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata is known to favor batting, and this has been observed during various IPL seasons, including the 2024 edition where a massive chase of 262 runs was successfully completed. The combination of a flat pitch, high humidity levels leading to the possibility of dew, and two formidable batting lineups promises a run-fest.
Dew could potentially come into this game, the teams have used the conditions and are preparing for what is to unfold in the game in the lead-up to the clash. The surface conditions will be somewhat in favor of the batsmen, which has made the tournament even more attractive.
Squads: England Announcement

England announces that they are playing elevens for the series. Ben Duckett and Phil Salt will open the batting, and Salt will also handle the wicketkeeping duties. The rest of the batting order includes Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (captain), and Liam Livingstone, with Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Mark Wood rounding out their team.
England’s bowling attack, featuring pace from Archer and Wood alongside the spin of Rashid, promises to challenge India’s batters on the Kolkata pitch.
India’s Probable XI and Player Focus
India’s probable playing XI is likely to include two fast bowlers – Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh – who will spearhead the pace attack. India doesn’t have back-up openers in the team, so the onus will be on Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma to give a good start. In the middle order, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh are likely to follow.
Axar Patel and one of Washington Sundar or Ravi Bishnoi can offer spin options. The Indian team is expected to go in with a strong all-round unit that includes batting depth and varied bowling options.
One of the key players to watch out for will be Sanju Samson. Despite not making it to the Champions Trophy squad, Samson has been in scintillating form in the T20 format. His recent performances, including a stellar series against Bangladesh and a series in South Africa where he was the second-highest run-scorer, make him a key player for India.
Samson has been scoring heavily in T20Is, with 366 runs in his last 9 innings at an impressive strike rate of over 193. The Kolkata ground also feels like a home venue for him, given his extensive IPL experience there.
Key Player to Watch: Phil Salt in IND vs ENG
Phil Salt, who is a player of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, is pretty aware of the local conditions. Salt has been in excellent form as well as he has managed to score 389 runs from seven IPL matches at a strike rate of 185.18. Salt, having scored 262 runs from his last 10 T20I innings at a strike rate of 154.11, will be watched closely when he opens alongside Ben Duckett.
Final Thoughts

With the combination of a flat pitch, the potential impact of dew, and the explosive batting line-ups of both teams, fans can expect an exciting and high-scoring contest in Kolkata. India will look to continue their aggressive approach under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, while England’s depth in both batting and bowling ensures that the match could go either way.
All eyes will be on players like Sanju Samson and Phil Salt, who could play pivotal roles in determining the outcome of the match.
Probable Playing XIs IND vs ENG:
England:
Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (captain), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
India:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar/Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty
With both teams boasting strong line-ups, this match promises to be a thrilling start to the series in Kolkata.
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