After a dominant win in the T20I series, India are set to take on England in a three-match ODI series. The first match of the series will be played at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on February 6. The Men in Blue are set to return in the 50-over cricket after five months and it will be their last ODI series ahead of ICC Champions Trophy, starting on February 19.
India have almost the same squad for the England series and the Champions Trophy and will be looking to form a winning lineup in the three ODIs against England. In the following listicle, we will have a look at India’s probable playing XI for the first ODI against England in Nagpur.
India’s Probable Playing XI for 1st ODI
Openers: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc)
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be first choices as an opening pair for the first ODI against England. Rohit has been in tremendous form in white-ball cricket in the last couple of years, especially the ODI format. He was also India’s top scorer in the only three ODIs India played in 2024. Apart from that, Gill has also shown great form in the 50-over format and is likely to open with Rohit in the first ODI in Nagpur.
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Middle-Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk)
In the middle-order, Virat Kohli will be the top choice to bat at number three. Apart from that, Shreyas Iyer, who had a memorable campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup will be seen playing at number four, with KL Rahul taking charge of the batting lineup at number five. At number six, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant can be seen taking charge of the innings.
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All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja
Fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be seen playing as a finisher and end the innings on a high note. Apart from that, Pandya can also bowl a few overs as a right-arm pacer. Along with him, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to play as another all-rounder, who can score crucial runs in death and take big wickets as a spin bowler.
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Bowler: Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
In the bowling lineup, Varun Chakravarthy can be seen playing as a second spinner in the playing XI for the first ODI. Apart from that, Mohammed Shami is also set to make his ODI return for India after 15 months and will be seen playing as spearhead fast bowler. Along with Shami, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will be seen playing as a second pacer in the first ODI against England
