Jamie Smith to miss India vs England ODI series? Here's the update

Jamie Smith made his T20I debut in the recently concluded five-match series against India, but his time in the series was cut short due to an unfortunate calf injury sustained during the third T20I. As a result, Smith was unavailable for the final two games of the series. England, now gearing up for their upcoming three-match ODI series, have decided to keep young spinner Rehan Ahmed with the squad, even though he was neither part of the ODI squad nor the Champions Trophy 2025 roster. The decision to rely on only one frontline spinner in the T20I series had backfired for England, and with Rehan Ahmed staying back, the team is hoping for better balance and damage control in the upcoming fixtures.

Rehan’s potential inclusion could offer England the much-needed variety in their bowling attack, especially as they look to strengthen their spin options for the future. As for Jamie Smith, reports from Telegraph Sport suggest that he will miss the first two ODIs as he continues his recovery from the calf injury. This presents a minor setback for the team, though England can rely on two experienced wicketkeeper-batters, Phil Salt and captain Jos Buttler, to take on the gloves and ensure the team doesn't miss a beat in Smith’s absence.

Jamie Smith replaced Jacob Bethell in the second T20I against India and played one more game before being sidelined due to a calf injury. During his brief stint, Smith managed just 25 runs across two innings, which didn’t help his cause. With Smith now unavailable, Phil Salt could be called upon as the backup wicketkeeper for the upcoming series. However, this is far from straightforward, as Jos Buttler has not kept wickets since his return from a calf injury, leaving Salt as a crucial option.

Salt, though, has limited experience as a wicketkeeper in ODIs, having played just three matches in that role. His primary strength lies in his batting, but stepping in as a backup wicketkeeper for a major international series presents its own challenges. England now face a difficult situation, with the absence of a fully fit and experienced keeper causing them to consider Salt as a stopgap solution. This will test Salt’s adaptability, as well as England’s ability to manage their squad effectively. With the Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, England will need to figure out how to balance the team’s needs behind the stumps while ensuring the best possible performance on the field.

The first ODI of the upcoming series between India and England is set to begin on February 6 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. This series is crucial for both teams as they gear up for the Champions Trophy 2025, which kicks off just two weeks later on February 19. With both nations looking to fine-tune their squads and strategies ahead of the marquee tournament, the ODI series will serve as an important benchmark for form and fitness.

For India, the series presents an opportunity to settle their playing XI, especially with key players like Jasprit Bumrah still uncertain for the Champions Trophy. England, on the other hand, will be keen to overcome any injury concerns and ensure their players are match-ready, particularly with the absence of Jamie Smith due to injury. As both teams look to optimize their lineups and gain momentum heading into the global event, the ODI series will be a vital phase of preparation. It’s also an exciting opportunity for players on the fringe, like Phil Salt, to step up and stake a claim for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad. With both sides eager to perform, the series promises to be an intriguing build-up to the prestigious tournament.

England squad for ODI series against India

Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Philip Salt, Jamie Smith, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.