As England is set to tour India in late January to early February 2025, India will host a five-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series. The ODI series is very important for both teams, as it will be their last ODI challenge before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Currently, Team India is busy in Australia for the five-match Test series challenge, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. According to the latest speculations, captain Rohit Sharma, former skipper Virat Kohli, and the star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah are unlikely to participate in the home ODI series against England due to workload management. 

Another Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, who has missed international cricket since the Final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, is also doubtful for the upcoming home ODI series against England. While the ODI series is important for the ICC Champions Trophy preparation, the selectors will set the ODI squad with serious names.

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The leadership

In the absence of Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah, Shubman Gill is likely to take the captaincy responsibility, who was the vice-captain of the Indian ODI side in their last ODI series in Sri Lanka.

Top-order batting

The 24-year-old Abhishek Sharma can be a serious opening choice. He has played 12 T20Is, where he scored a century against Zimbabwe in the Harare T20I and 50 runs against South Africa in the Centurion T20I. On the last day in 2024, Sharma was the headline with his 60-ball century and record-breaking 170 runs for Punjab against Saurashtra in the List A tournament Vijay Hazare Trophy. Apart from his batting, Sharma is also performing well as a left-arm spinner, while he also claimed a four-fer in the List A tournament.  

Wicketkeepers

KL Rahul can be an important choice, especially as a wicketkeeper-batter, along with a competition between Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Although Samson played his last ODI in December 2023, his outstanding batting form in the latest T20I series against the hosts South Africa can reopen his ODI place. However, Ishan Kishan will challenge Samson for the wicketkeeper role. While Samson isn’t participating in the ongoing List A tournament Vijay Hazare Trophy, Ishan regularly participates in the List A tournament, where he also scored one century against Manipur. 

Samson or Ishan can only earn the place if Rishabh Pant gets a rest for the ODI series. 

Regular players

Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, etc. are the obvious choices for the upcoming home ODI series against England.

Other possible names

The 22-year-old Tilak Varma can also earn an ODI call-up who has played four ODIs and 20 T20Is. After recording two centuries, he won the Player of the Series award during the latest T20I series against the hosts South Africa. Varma is also in good form in the domestic List A tournament by scoring 57 and 99 runs. 

All-rounder Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag can find their names in the ODI squad. However, both have to utilise their upcoming opportunities. 

Indian pacers

Talking about Indian pacers, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana, and Mohammed Siraj can be the top choices for the ODI series. 

Possible Indian squad for the ODI series against England

Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Sanju Samson/Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed