England announce playing XI for Kolkata T20I; Pacer returning to white-ball cricket after one year

England are set for the T20I series against the hosts India as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the playing XI for the five-match T20I series opener, which will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22. 

It will be the first international meeting between India and England after their Semi-final meeting in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where India won by 68 runs.

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Brendon McCullum is ready to begin his journey in white-ball coaching

For England, the five-match T20I series is the beginning of a new era as Brendon McCullum is starting his white-ball coaching role. Despite some criticism, coach McCullum's aggressive batting tactics in Test cricket are popular, and it is known as Bazball.

Top four confirms

The official playing XI announcement has confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt will open with Ben Duckett. Skipper Jos Buttler will bat at no. 3, and the new vice-captain Harry Brook will bat at no.4.

Gus Atkinson returns after more than a year

The team has three pacers: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Mark Wood. It will be the first international white-ball game for the 27-year-old Atkinson after December 2023. While the leg-spinner Adil Rashid will handle the spin-bowling role, he can get the support of Liam Livingstone and the left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell. Also, fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton is present for the important dual roles.

Eden Gardens in T20Is

Both pacers and spinners can play important roles at Eden Gardens, which is also popular for some big T20 totals. However, this T20 venue doesn’t produce regular 180+ totals. Also, dew can play an important factor in this match.

England previously played two T20Is at Eden Gardens. While they won by six wickets against the hosts India in 2011, they suffered a shocking defeat in the ICC World T20 2016 Final against West Indies, where Carlos Brathwaite smashed four successive sixes to Ben Stokes in the final over to snatch the trophy.

England playing XI for Kolkata T20I

Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (Captain), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood