IND vs ENG 1st T20I probable 11, weather forecast: Eyes on Mohammed Shami's return and pitch report of Eden Gardens

India vs England 1st T20I: Weather update, pitch report, predicted playing 11, match preview and more

IND vs ENG 1st T20I: India will take on England in the first T20I of the five-match series at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22. This clash marks the first time the two sides will face each other since India edged past England in the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue, ranked No. 1 in the shortest format, will look to assert their dominance, while England, currently third, will aim for a strong start under new head coach Brendon McCullum.

India has made a few notable changes to the squad that toured South Africa late last year. The biggest talking point is the return of experienced pacer Mohammed Shami after a 14-month absence due to injury. Shami will spearhead the bowling attack alongside Arshdeep Singh, while all-rounder Axar Patel has been appointed as vice-captain in place of Hardik Pandya. England, on the other hand, will see Jos Buttler focusing solely on his captaincy duties, handing over the wicketkeeping responsibilities to Phil Salt.

Also Read - IND vs ENG: How to purchase tickets for India vs England 1st T20I at Eden Gardens? Price details and more

The Eden Gardens pitch is known for being batting-friendly, offering good bounce and carry for stroke-makers. Dew is expected to play a major role, particularly in the second innings, which could influence the captain’s decision at the toss. Historically, teams chasing have had the upper hand at this venue, winning seven out of the 12 T20Is played here. The weather forecast is favourable, with no rain expected, ensuring uninterrupted action.

India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav, despite a lean run in South Africa, will be eager to rediscover his touch at a venue where he has enjoyed success in the past. The return of Shami adds experience to the bowling unit, while all eyes will also be on Sanju Samson, who finished 2024 on a high with three T20I centuries but was overlooked for the 2025 Champions Trophy squad.

Also Read - India vs England 1st T20I Live streaming: When and where to watch IND vs ENG match in Eden Gardens?

For England, the pace duo of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will be crucial in countering India’s strong batting lineup. Youngster Jacob Bethell, who has shown promise in limited-overs cricket, will be another player to watch out for.

Predicted India XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy.

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

With both teams eyeing crucial wins ahead of the Champions Trophy, the opening T20I promises an exciting contest between bat and ball.