On Saturday, the BCCI revealed India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, and it must be admitted, that it looks like a well-balanced one. As usual, Suryakumar Yadav will be the skipper of the side, while Axar Patel will be his new deputy. The biggest surprise was the inclusion of pacer Mohammed Shami, who would be seen in India colours after a gap of over a year.
But apart from that, there weren’t much changes in the side. So, InsideSport takes a look at the best playing XI for the upcoming series.
Sanju Samson to Open with Tilak Varma
In the last T20I series vs South Africa, Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson went on a rampage against hapless hosts. While Tilak, batting at No. 3 scored 280 runs in 4 matches, at an average of 140, smashing two tons, Sanju scored 216 at an average of 72, including two tons as well. Abhishek Sharma was the opener for that series, but then, the time maybe right to give Tilak Varma a chance at the top of the order, instead of a struggling Abhishek.
It goes without saying, that one of the best T20I batters, Suryakumar Yadav will be in at no. 3, followed by someone like a Hardik Pandya, who knows how to mold his innings, as the situation demands. While he generally bats a little lower, but then a few runs up the order will give him a major boost. In the 7 matches of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he had 276 runs to his name, at an average of 49, including two fifties.
Rinku Singh & Nitish Reddy in Middle-Order
Without a doubt Rinku Singh follows. He too had an excellent SMAT, where he scored 277 runs at an average of 69. He would be eager to get some international runs. Now, Nitish Reddy will come in at No. 6, given he had an excellent IND vs AUS Test series, where he scored 298 runs in 5 matches. IN 3 T20Is he has scored a brilliant 74 as well.
Mohammed Shami & Arshdeep Singh Automatic Choices
Yes, Shami is coming back after a long injury hiatus, but then, if he is in the squad, he makes the XI in any team. He would be raring to go and prove his match fitness for the Champions Trophy in Feb. Along with him will be pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has been impressive in ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, bagging 20 wickets in 7 matches.
Varun Chakravarthy Over Ravi Bishnoi
While both are good bowlers in their own right, the only place where Varun Chakravarthy might be preferred is his excellent series vs South Africa. In 4 matches he had picked 12 wickets. Overall, in 13 T20Is, he has picked up 19 wickets, while Bishnoi has 56 wickets in 37 matches.
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India Best Playing XI for ENG T20Is
Position | Player |
1. | Sanju Samson |
2. | Tilak Varma |
3. | Suryakumar Yadav |
4. | Hardik Pandya |
5. | Rinku Singh |
6. | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
7. | Axar Patel |
8. | Washington Sundar |
9. | Mohammed Shami |
10. | Arshdeep Singh |
11. | Varun Chakravarthy |
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