England Names Playing XI for First T20I Against India at Eden Gardens

Phil Salt to Keep Wickets, Harry Brook Appointed Vice-Captain; Match Set to Begin in Kolkata

New Delhi, January 21: The England Cricket Board (ECB) has announced its playing XI for the first T20I against India, scheduled to take place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. The match will begin at 7 PM IST, kicking off the five-match T20I series.

Key Highlights of England’s Playing XI

Phil Salt will partner with Ben Duckett as the opening duo. Salt, stepping into the wicketkeeping role, takes over from skipper Jos Buttler, who will feature in the middle order alongside Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone. Earlier in the day, the ECB named Brook as the vice-captain for the series.

Jacob Bethell, making a return to international T20 cricket since November last year, and all-rounder Jamie Overton are also included in the lineup.

The bowling attack will feature pacers Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood, while Adil Rashid has been chosen as the lone spinner in the squad.

“Firepower with bat and ball. Brendon McCullum has named the first white-ball team of his reign for tomorrow’s opening IT20 v India,” ECB wrote on X while announcing the squad.

Series Schedule

• 1st T20I: January 22 – Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• 2nd T20I: January 25 – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• 3rd T20I: January 28 – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
• 4th T20I: January 31 – Maharashtra Cricket Stadium, Pune
• 5th T20I: February 2 – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

England Playing XI:
Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (WK), Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook (VC), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

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Tags: England T20I squad, India vs England T20I series, Phil Salt wicketkeeper, Harry Brook vice-captain, Brendon McCullum coaching debut, Eden Gardens match, England bowling lineup

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