India vs England: India's Predicted Playing XI for the first ODI

With the T20I series ending 4-1 in favor of the hosts, the England Tour of India is set to enter the ODI phase. The five-match T20I series saw the outright domination of the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav. Players like Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy took center stage as England was decimated in every department across the series. However, the focus now shifts to the 50-over format, which clearly holds unique significance with the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled close to its conclusion. Moreover, with India's last ODI series dating back to August last year, the three-match India vs England series is all they have to find their ideal combination for the marquee event.

Since the defeat in the ICC ODI World Cup final against Australia in 2023, India has played only one ODI series. The India Tour of Sri Lanka saw the Indian side losing the ODI series 2-0, marking a forgettable start to the coaching tenure of Gautam Gambhir. With the Test season taking the ace spot in their plans, the 50-over format has been sidelined for quite a long time now. Meanwhile, India fared poorly in their Test season as well, curbing their long-standing records both at home and away. However, the year started well for the team, with the T20I side keeping up their reputation as world champions. Treating England to a warm welcome in the subcontinent, India stunned the Jos Buttler-led side 4-1 in the T20I series. With the T20Is wrapped up, the stage is set for the 50-over format to reign again.

A look at India's Predicted Playing XI for the first India vs England ODI

The India vs England ODI series is set to commence on 6 February in Nagpur, with the first match of the three-match series. Both sides have already announced their squads for the ICC Champions Trophy, and the face-off in India provides a chance to find their best combination. Moreover, with the window to amend their Champions Trophy squad open until 12 February, the India vs England ODI series is a crucial setup. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with the young Shubman Gill acting as his deputy. The series sees the return of Shreyas Iyer to the Indian setup for the first time since the Sri Lanka Tour. However, it will be an interesting tussle in the middle, with Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer vying for spots in the batting order.

With Shreyas Iyer named in the squad, the contest grows intense between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant for a spot in the Playing XI. KL Rahul secured a stable spot in the position while Pant recovered from his unfortunate car accident injuries. The Karnataka player assisted India in the ODI World Cup, mustering some crucial runs. However, his inability to accelerate the innings at the right moment emerged as a concerning aspect of his game, highlighted in the final match against Australia. Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, provides the aggressive edge to the lineup with his impressive stroke play and swift approach to the game. If India opts for the right-left combination, as famously adapted by head coach Gautam Gambhir, Pant would get an edge over Rahul. In another scenario, Iyer might have to wait for his return if the management opts to play both Pant and Rahul simultaneously.

The top-order seems sorted, with captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill opening together. Virat Kohli comes in next at number 3. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya is a sure contender down the order as the pace all-rounder. Another interesting choice stands between spin all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel. In the bowling department, spinner Varun Chakravarthy earned a late call-up to the squad following his commendable performance in the India vs England T20I series. Meanwhile, India stands devoid of Jasprit Bumrah in the pace department, who is still recovering from the back injury he sustained in the last Border Gavaskar Trophy fixture.

With Bumrah unavailable, Mohammed Shami will take the mantle, upon his return to international cricket after a year. The seamer didn't get consistent chances in the T20I series against England, but with the ICC Champions Trophy lined up ahead, Shami is expected to do the hard yards in the ODI series. Assisting Shami will be India's T20I stalwart, Arshdeep Singh. The spin department, moreover, has Kuldeep Yadav as another specialist spin option beyond Chakravarthy. With the English clearly struggling against spin in the T20Is, the department is slated to be the X-factor in the India vs England ODI series as well.

India's Predicted Playing XI for the first India vs England ODI:

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami