India vs England: England playing XI announced for IND vs ENG 1st T20I

England captain Jos Buttler has revealed their playing XI for the opening T20I against India, set to take place on Wednesday, January 22, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. In a significant tactical shift for this series, Buttler confirmed that wicketkeeping duties would be handled by Phil Salt. This decision had previously been confirmed by head coach Brendon McCullum, with Salt stepping in as the designated wicketkeeper-batter for the series. As a result, Buttler will play as a specialist batter throughout the T20I series. This marks a departure from his usual role behind the stumps, where he has been a key figure in recent years. Buttler's decision to focus solely on his batting is expected to give him the freedom to maximize his impact with the bat, as he looks to lead his team from the front.

Salt, who has shown promise with both the bat and gloves, will now be tasked with taking over the crucial wicketkeeping responsibilities for England. This change in roles has raised eyebrows, but the England management is confident that this strategic decision will allow both Buttler and Salt to perform at their best. The shift in roles is part of England's broader approach to optimize their squad for the high-pressure series against India, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting encounter at the iconic Kolkata venue.

For the IND vs ENG opening T20I against India in Kolkata, England's playing XI features Phil Salt and Ben Duckett opening the batting, with skipper Jos Buttler positioned to bat one down. The middle order will be bolstered by the presence of Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton. Livingstone, known for his power-hitting, will also take on the role of the secondary spinner, partnering with the experienced Adil Rashid.

In the pace department, England's attack will be led by the express pace duo of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Both bowlers are known for their fiery spells and will be crucial in setting the tone for England's bowling strategy. Gus Atkinson is expected to be the third seamer in the lineup, providing vital support with the ball. All-rounder Jamie Overton is likely to contribute with both bat and ball, offering additional depth to England's strategy. With a mix of aggressive batters, experienced spinners, and a potent pace attack, England's lineup looks well-balanced as they gear up to face India in what promises to be an exciting contest at Eden Gardens.

Eden Gardens in Kolkata has traditionally been known for its batting-friendly conditions, but international T20Is at the venue have seen relatively lower scores. No team has ever lost after posting a total of over 180 in the first innings at this iconic ground, making 180-plus a likely winning total. Given this trend, England’s captain Jos Buttler will likely opt to bat first if he wins the toss against Suryakumar Yadav’s India. Despite the surface favoring batsmen, the historically low-scoring nature of international T20Is at the ground means that setting a challenging target of 180 or more will be crucial for England’s chances of securing a victory. Buttler and his team will aim to capitalize on the batting-friendly conditions, but also be mindful of the challenges that Eden Gardens' pitch offers in terms of both pace and spin.

England playing XI for 1st T20I against India

Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood. 

Firepower with bat and ball 💥

Brendon McCullum has named the first white-ball team of his reign for tomorrow's opening IT20 v India 💪 pic.twitter.com/DSFdaWVPrB

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 21, 2025