Predicting India's strongest XI for England T20I series

The five-match T20I series between India and England is set to get underway on January 22. The series opener is scheduled to be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead the team even as only three players from the Test team that toured Australia have been picked in the squad. Here’s the strongest possible playing XI of India for the T20I series against England:

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Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson will continue to open the innings following their good show in the series against South Africa. Samson notched up two centuries during the four-match series against the Proteas. However, time is running out for Abhishek as he has been extremely inconsistent at the top of the order. With Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings, the southpaw should have a blockbuster series to retain his spot.

The number three and four spots will be shuffled between Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma as it happened against South Africa. The latter smashed two consecutive centuries batting at three even as Surya didn’t have a great series. The captain’s form isn’t a concern for India as it is only a matter of time before he gets runs and at a good pace.

Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh are expected to look after the finishing duties with Nitish Kumar Reddy also expected to do the same. Reddy will also offer a sixth bowling option. Vice-captain Axar Patel is expected to bat at eight and more than anything, his four overs will be crucial for India.

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Varun Chakaravarthy will be the second spinner in the line-up after having a blockbuster series in South Africa. Mohammed Shami will finally make a comeback to international cricket after 14 months and will take the new ball as well. Arshdeep Singh will share the new ball with him and continue to prove why he is one of the best for India in the shortest format of the game.

India’s best XI for England T20I series: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Reddy, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

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