Cricket fans are set for thrilling action as India takes on England in the first T20I of the five-match series at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on January 22, 2025. This encounter not only marks the start of the much-anticipated series but also presents both teams with the perfect platform to experiment and find their rhythm before the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Leading the charge for India is the dynamic Suryakumar Yadav, who has made waves with his aggressive style of play, earning respect as one of the top T20 players globally. Complementing him will be Axar Patel, who is making his debut as vice-captain for the T20 format, marking the beginning of his leadership role with the national side. After being sidelined for 14 months, pace spearhead Mohammed Shami's return adds weight to India’s bowling attack. His last appearance for the national team was during the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, and fans are eager to see how he performs after recovery from injuries.
On the opposite end, England will be captained by Jos Buttler, stepping away from wicketkeeping duties to take up the number three spot, allowing Phil Salt to don the gloves. This series also marks the beginning of Brendon McCullum's era as head coach for the England T20 team, after his successful yet transformative role within England's Test setup. His influential "Bazball" philosophy, emphasizing aggressive batting, is expected to bring new strategies to the white-ball format as well.
The game is scheduled to begin at 7 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 6:30 PM IST. Eden Gardens is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere but is also known for its challenging conditions. Humidity is expected, alongside thick evening dew likely to affect bowlers, adding another layer of complexity to this evening contest.
Historically, India holds the edge over England, with 13 wins to England’s 11 out of 24 encounters. Notably, India has claimed victory in five of their last seven matchups against the English team since 2021. Their last T20I clash occurred at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals, where India emerged victorious, going on to claim the title. Both teams are brimming with skilled players, and this matchup will be key for them to secure momentum heading toward the Champions Trophy.
Fans can catch the live action of this exhilarating series on Star Sports, with several channels broadcasting, including Star Sports 1, offering multiple language options. For those preferring to stream online, the match will be available on the Disney+ Hotstar platform, bringing more accessibility to cricket enthusiasts.
Password players to watch include Sanju Samson, known for his explosive batting capabilities, alongside Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh, promising to light up the innings. For England, the fast bowling prowess of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will be pivotal as they aim to contain India's formidable batting lineup.
India enters this series riding high on their World Cup triumph and remains unbeaten in bilateral series since then. This contest serves as not just another match but as an opportunity for India to build on their reputation and rectify last month’s disappointing performances against Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Expectations are running high, and the stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying encounter between two fierce cricketing rivals, as India and England square off at Eden Gardens. With both teams at the top of their game and with everything to play for, spectators can anticipate nothing short of extraordinary performances.