Abhishek Sharma vs Jofra Archer to Jos Buttler vs Arshdeep Singh: Key battles to watch out from India vs England T20Is

Key battles to watch out from India vs England T20Is

Reigning world champions India and two-time T20 World Cup winners England are set to clash in a high-octane five-match T20I series. This marks the beginning of a long white-ball season for both teams. Following the T20Is, the two sides will compete in a three-match ODI series, serving as a crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to begin on February 19.

The series kicks off at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which will host the first T20I on January 22.

Although this is the season for ODIs, the T20Is will play an important role in helping players gear up for the ICC event next month. For instance, Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action since the 2023 World Cup, will make his return during the T20I series, providing a glimpse of his form ahead of the upcoming challenges.

The encounters between these two teams have always been hard-fought, regardless of the format. Their rivalry, especially in T20Is over the past few years, has consistently delivered exciting matchups.

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With many of the senior players from both sides having retired, this series will showcase a blend of new talents and seasoned veterans facing off. Here are four key player matchups to watch for in the upcoming series.

Jos Buttler vs Arshdeep Singh: A Battle of Power and Precision

Buttler is undoubtedly among the finest T20 batters in the world. When he finds his rhythm, he becomes an unstoppable force at the crease. Aware of the threat posed by the England skipper, the Indian team will rely on Arshdeep Singh to counter him. Since his debut, Arshdeep has been India’s standout T20 bowler, consistently delivering under pressure. Buttler has shown vulnerability against incoming deliveries, and Arshdeep, with his ability to swing the ball both ways, will aim to exploit this weakness and dismiss the dangerous opener early.

Abhishek Sharma vs Jofra Archer: A Powerplay Showdown

In his short career, Abhishek has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with inconsistency. His tendency to go hard from the start often leads to rash shots, and his well-documented struggles against short-pitched bowling make him vulnerable. A back-of-length delivery with the new ball seems to be the ideal strategy against him, and there’s no one better than Jofra Archer to exploit this weakness. Archer’s ability to hit the hard length and execute bodyline attacks could pose serious challenges for Abhishek, making this a crucial battle in the Powerplay.

Harry Brook vs Varun Chakravarthy: Matchup of X-factors

Labelled as the next superstar of England cricket, this will be a very important series for Harry Brook. For England to succeed, Brook will need to anchor the middle order and deliver impactful performances. While he excels against fast bowling, spin remains a challenging area in his white-ball game—a vulnerability India’s Varun Chakravarthy will aim to exploit. Since returning to the squad, Chakravarthy has been a consistent wicket-taking force, making his potential face-off with Brook a thrilling contest to watch.

Nitish Kumar Reddy vs Adil Rashid: A Test of Wits in the Middle Order

After a fruitful tour of Australia, Nitish will be keen to carry his form into this series. With no selection for the ODI series or Champions Trophy, he’s likely to feature in all five T20Is, making him a key player in India’s middle order. However, he will face a stern challenge against Adil Rashid, England’s most reliable white-ball bowler over the past 5-6 years. Rashid’s guile and experience make him a tricky opponent, and Nitish will need to approach the leg-spinner with caution to make an impact in the series.