India and England are set to kick off their much-anticipated one-day international (ODI) series, with the first match taking place on Wednesday at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. This opening ODI serves as both teams' preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
England has named a strong line-up for the clash, featuring the return of veteran batsman Joe Root, who last played ODIs 15 months ago during the 2023 World Cup. Under the captaincy of Jos Buttler, England aims to rebound from their recent 4-1 defeat against India in the T20I series.
Selectors have opted for Brydon Carse as the pace-all rounder over other options, highlighting the strength and depth of the squad. The XI includes Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, alongside Adil Rashid and the bowling duo of Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood. Despite impressive performances, Mark Wood will be watching from the bench, having played frequently during the T20I series.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has expressed cautious optimism about the selection of Varun Chakaravarthy, who has been brought on board for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. Chakaravarthy, though yet to debut, was recognized for his outstanding T20I form, having recently taken 31 wickets and being named Player of the Series against England.
"We just wanted to have an option and see what we can do with him," Rohit said, alluding to the potential for the spinners to impress and earn spots for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
India's squad for the Champions Trophy already boasts four spinners, with Rohit indicating Chakaravarthy could be part of the mix depending on his performance during these ODIs. With Jasprit Bumrah’s and Mohammed Shami’s fitness concerns—both have had long spells away from the game due to injuries—India's pace attack faces scrutiny. Rohit has reaffirmed confidence in Shami's comeback, emphasizing the experience he brings to the team.
"Look, he has not played cricket for 1 or 1.5 years. So don't judge the players so soon," Rohit stated. He highlighted Shami's legacy and pedigree as integral to the squad's morale.
Rohit also discussed the wicketkeeping situation, where both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are vying for the role. While pairing either player with the batting order has its advantages, Rohit praised Rahul's consistency. "But obviously, maintaining continuity is also very important for us," he added, noting the dilemma of choosing between two capable keepers.
With both teams entering this series under different circumstances, the stakes could not be higher. India strives to find its rhythm after their successful World Cup run, whereas England looks to find footing after mixed results and injuries. Sharma acknowledges the need for his team to hone their playing style and adapt to ODI cricket after their World Cup triumph. "It is about coming together because it's been a time since we played this format," Rohit explained. He urged the squad to focus on their recent successes and apply them to the upcoming series.
This series not only serves as preparation for the respective teams as they aim to gear up for the Champions Trophy but also acts as an introspective phase for players like Shami and Chakaravarthy to prove their mettle.
With both sides eager to solidify their strategies, fans are set for three exhilarating ODIs, beginning with Wednesday's match, which promises nail-biting cricket action.