The Indian T20I squad for the five-match series against England starting January 22 in Kolkata is likely to be announced. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is scheduled to meet on Saturday evening after its Annual General Meeting in Mumbai.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will zero in on a squad that will be led by Suryakumar Yadav. There is also set to be discussions over the Champions Trophy squad, although the final announcement for that selection has apparently been pushed back until next weekend.
Following the T20I series, England take on India in three ODIs, which will serve as good preparation for the Champions Trophy getting underway on February 19. It should be noted that India have not played an ODI since August of last year.
The focus on the T20I squad highlights a format that recently brought India significant success. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the team had taken a different approach towards game time and one that has produced fine results during their home series against Bangladesh and in South Africa. This format happens to be the only one where India has consistently excelled in the last six months.
But largely, the core is expected to stay. Sanju Samson, having done a very good job opening in South Africa with two centuries, will retain the main wicketkeeper’s spot as the selectors give Rishabh Pant, already rested against the Kiwis, more time ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Just like Yashasvi Jaiswal could be given time off following the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and return for England ODIs and Champions Trophy, Shubman Gill would do the same. Tilak Varma, who created history last week by becoming the first Indian to score successive T20I hundreds in South Africa, will bat at No. 3.
As far as bowling is concerned, the injured Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are not in contention for T20Is. Both the bowlers played all five Tests in the Australian tour. Hence, Arshdeep Singh will be leading the pace attack with Mayank Yadav’s fitness not certain. Avesh Khan and Harshit Rana might get in as other pace options.
The responsibility of spin will go to Varun Chakaravarthy, Rav Bishnoi and Axar Patel. In all-rounders, first preference will go to Hardik Pandya while Shivam Dube, who was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad, will be in line for a return after missing the T20Is against South Africa with an injury.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed in the Bangladesh T20Is, too is expected to make a comeback into T20I setup, but may not be considered for Champions Trophy. His performance in the Australia tour has kept him in focus.
Meanwhile, there is no clarity over Riyan Parag’s fitness. Having played a vital role in the games against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Parag had missed the T20Is in South Africa because of injury and hasn’t featured in any domestic game for Assam this season.
