IND vs ENG 1st ODI Playing 11: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Back Together in Blue
India tour of England, 2026: After a crushing defeat in the T20 series, the Indian cricket team will aim to bounce back by defeating England in the ODI series. The three-match series between the two teams begins on Tuesday. Two stalwarts of Indian cricket will be seen playing together once again in this series.
The first match of the series will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will feature in this match. India played its previous ODI series against Afghanistan—winning it 3-0—but Kohli did not play in it; only Rohit did. The last time the two played an ODI together was against New Zealand in January of this year; that match took place on January 18. Now, after 177 days, they will be seen playing together again on July 14.
This all-rounder is set to make a comeback to the team after two years—
It is certain that Rohit will open the batting alongside captain Shubman Gill. Kohli’s spot at number 3 is also confirmed. Team vice-captain Shreyas Iyer will bat at number 4, while either Axar Patel or KL Rahul will get the opportunity at number 5. Hardik Pandya is not part of this series. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had been included in the squad as his replacement, has also been ruled out of the series due to injury.
In light of this, the BCCI selection committee has given an opportunity to Shivam Dube, a regular member of the T20 squad. It is considered almost certain that Shivam will be part of the playing XI. If he plays, it will mark his return to ODI cricket for India after two years; his last ODI for Team India was against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 7, 2024.
Opportunity for Gill's friend Gurnoor Brar-
Team India's bowling attack will be further strengthened by the return of Jasprit Bumrah; he had not played in the T20 series. During the series against Afghanistan, Gill had given an opportunity to his childhood friend Gurnoor Brar, who impressed everyone.
Gurnoor could prove to be very effective on English pitches, and his place in the team is assured. Arshdeep Singh will share the fast-bowling duties with Bumrah, while Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will handle the spin department.
India's probable playing XI for the first ODI:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar.
