IND predicted XI 1st ODI vs ENG: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli in focus; Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul? Who should get the nod

IND predicted XI 1st ODI vs ENG: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli in focus (Reuters/File Photo)

India predicted XI vs England 1st ODI: The form and fitness of India's seasoned stars will be in focus as the Men In Blue enter the final phase of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 preparations. Rohit Sharma and Co. take on England in a three-match ODI series before flying to Dubai for the ICC tournament, which starts from February 19.

The series opener will be played in Nagpur on Thursday and the management will take the opportunity to find the right balance for some specific slots in the line-up. Meanwhile, the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been under tremendous scrutiny after their dismal run in red-ball cricket. The senior pros faced plenty of flak during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 3-1. In addition, the duo failed to live up to their potential with disappointing appearances in Ranji Trophy last month.

Rohit and Kohli will now look to produce strong performances in a format they have dominated for several years. The duo were the top two run-getters of the 2023 World Cup with Kohli scoring 765 and Rohit smashing 597. Since then both have only featured in a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, in which Rohit scored two half-centuries while Kohli struggled.

The slump intensified in Tests and in the last three months, the two heroes of Indian cricket have faced numerous calls to decide on their future.

Meanwhile, the series also acts as a perfect dress rehearsal for the Champions Trophy. The eight-team competition could be a make-or-break event for the two stalwarts, who have already retired from T20Is.

However, their form is not the solitary concern for the outfit. Who among KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant should get the nod for the playing XI? With skipper Rohit and his deputy Shubman Gill likely to open, followed by Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya, the wicketkeeper-batter is likely to slot in at number five.

Rahul kept wickets in Pant's absence during the 2023 World Cup and performed admirably. He amassed 452 runs and proved to be one of India's most consistent middle-order batters but his strike rotation in the middle overs remains a concern.

Pant, on the other hand, is a left-handed option, which offers variety in India's right-hand dominated top order. Additionally, his unpredictability, raw power, and ability to clear with breathtaking ease make him the X-factor.

The Indian think tank could always go with both but that would likely come at the expense of Iyer, who despite under-performing in the Sri Lanka series, has been a prolific contributor. His exploits in the domestic season are hard to ignore.

The series will also test the preparedness of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, both of whom had been laid low by injuries and could be key to India's success in the Champions Trophy. While Shami played two T20s against England in the recently-concluded series, Kuldeep hasn't donned the India colours since the first Test against New Zealand in October.

In-form mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is expected to get a debut to strengthen his case for inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad. He troubled the England batters in the T20Is after bamboozling Bangladesh in another home series last October.

The team management also have to make a tough choice for the spin all-rounder's position. Ravindra Jadeja, who hasn't played an ODI since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are all in contention and it is not yet clear how this will be settled.

Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill

Top and middle-order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel

Spinners: Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav

Pacers: Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

India's squad for England ODIs: Rohit Sharma (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.

- with PTI inputs