After an intense battle against Australia in the final Test in Sydney of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Team India will set their eyes on hosting England for a thrilling eight-match white-ball series. This highly anticipated showdown will feature five T20Is followed by three ODIs, providing both teams a much-needed platform to build their strategies and finalize their squads for the upcoming ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
It is set to be an intriguing mix of cricketing style with India's star pace attack encountering against the attacking English batting unit. The T20I will kick off the tour and give a fresh boost under Suryakumar Yadav's leadership after the side got overhauled by the Aussies.
The English who are popular for their fearless approach in the shortest format, will look to put India under siege under subcontinental conditions. The 5 T20I matches of the series will be played in Kolkata, Chennai, Rajkot, Pune and Mumbai respectively.
The ODIs, however, carry greater significance than the short format series. With the Champions Trophy nearby the 3 ODIs will be vital for both teams in testing their player combinations and analysing their preparations for the global event.
India’s ODI squad is expected to feature several changes from their T20I set-up, as selectors focus on experience and adaptability, especially after the T20I retirement of star Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. As for England, this series is a golden opportunity to fine-tune their plans in a country where conditions could mirror those of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
For Indian cricket fans, the England series offers a glimmer of hope to witness the team’s resurgence after a challenging stint in Australia. It is not merely a preparatory phase for the men in blue but also the stage where India would reclaim its winning momentum with a set of skilled players against the Englishmen in their home soil.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah, India’s top fast bowler, might be rested for the upcoming series against England to avoid overworking him before the Champions Trophy. If Bumrah is rested, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami are expected to take charge of India’s pace attack, with Arshdeep Singh getting a chance to prove himself for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad.
On the other hand, if Ravindra Jadeja is unavailable for the series, Axar Patel, who has been consistent in T20Is, might get an opportunity to play in the ODIs and could be called up for the Champions Trophy squad.
IND vs ENG 2025 Fixtures(5 T20Is, 3 ODIs) January-February 2025
1st T20I: January 22 (Chennai)
2nd T20I: January 25 (Kolkata)
3rd T20I: January 28 (Rajkot)
4th T20I: January 31 (Pune)
5th T20I: February 2 (Mumbai)
1st ODI: February 6 (Nagpur)
2nd ODI: February 9 (Cuttack)
3rd ODI: February 12 (Ahmedabad)
India's Fixtures for the Champions Trophy
IND vs BAN: February 20 (Dubai)
PAK vs IND: February 23 (Dubai)
IND vs NZ: March 2 (Dubai)
Semi-final (if qualified): March 4 (Dubai)
Final (if qualified): March 9 (Dubai)
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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