India are ready to begin their home T20I series against England, as Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the five-match T20I series opener this Wednesday (January 22).

Captain Suryakumar Yadav is ready for a new beginning. Since he became the regular captain of the Indian T20I side after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy-winning campaign, Yadav’s team India suffered only one defeat out of 10 T20Is, where the Men in Blues won eight and tied once (with a victory in the Super Over).

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India vs England 1st T20I: India's predicted XI - No surprise in batting order

Just like their last South Africa tour, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson should open with Abhishek Sharma, while Tilak Varma should bat at no.3.

Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and the new vice-captain Axar Patel should take the middle-order batting role.

Mohammed Shami set to return

In the presence of the pacers Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami is set to return after more than a year, as he previously wore the Men in Blue jersey during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia. 

Spin choices: Varun Chakravarthy with new vice-captain

As the dew can play an important role in the Kolkata T20I, India should go with one regular spinner, especially when the left-arm spinner Axar Patel is present in the team. In-form leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy has huge experience at Eden Gardens, and it's time to cash in. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy can return

While there is still one spot left for the playing XI, the all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy can be the perfect fit. He can be useful both as a batter and a medium pacer. While the right-handed batter recently impressed during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, he played three T20Is, all during the Bangladesh tour of India last October. The Delhi T20I was his second T20I, where he won the Player of the Match award for his incredible 74 off 34 balls and picking up two wickets (2/23). 

India's probable XI for Kolkata T20I

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.

England are set for the T20I series against the hosts India as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the playing XI for the five-match T20I series opener, which will be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22. 

It will be the first international meeting between India and England after their Semi-final meeting in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where India won by 68 runs.

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Brendon McCullum is ready to begin his journey in white-ball coaching

For England, the five-match T20I series is the beginning of a new era as Brendon McCullum is starting his white-ball coaching role. Despite some criticism, coach McCullum's aggressive batting tactics in Test cricket are popular, and it is known as Bazball.

Top four confirms

The official playing XI announcement has confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt will open with Ben Duckett. Skipper Jos Buttler will bat at no. 3, and the new vice-captain Harry Brook will bat at no.4.

Gus Atkinson returns after more than a year

The team has three pacers: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Mark Wood. It will be the first international white-ball game for the 27-year-old Atkinson after December 2023. While the leg-spinner Adil Rashid will handle the spin-bowling role, he can get the support of Liam Livingstone and the left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell. Also, fast-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton is present for the important dual roles.

Eden Gardens in T20Is

Both pacers and spinners can play important roles at Eden Gardens, which is also popular for some big T20 totals. However, this T20 venue doesn’t produce regular 180+ totals. Also, dew can play an important factor in this match.

England previously played two T20Is at Eden Gardens. While they won by six wickets against the hosts India in 2011, they suffered a shocking defeat in the ICC World T20 2016 Final against West Indies, where Carlos Brathwaite smashed four successive sixes to Ben Stokes in the final over to snatch the trophy.

England playing XI for Kolkata T20I

Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (Captain), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

The opening T20I of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka is set for Saturday, July 27, at Pallekele International Stadium. In this first game, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has the chance to set a major international record as the first batter worldwide to achieve it.

Having debuted for India last year, the young southpaw has scored 953 runs in 16 innings across 11 matches this year. The Rajasthan Royals star is now just 7 runs away from becoming the first batter in 2024 to reach 1,000 runs in international cricket across all formats.

The 22-year-old has scored 740 runs in six Tests and 213 runs in five T20Is. Although the Mumbai-based cricketer was part of the Indian squad that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA last month, he did not play in any of the matches.

Before the T20I series against India began, Sri Lanka suffered two major setbacks with injuries to Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara. Both star fast bowlers have been ruled out of the series, which will be played entirely in Pallekele.

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India’s squad for the T20I series : Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Khaleel Ahmed, and Shivam Dube.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the schedule for their upcoming series against India at home. The series will feature three T20Is and three ODIs.

India’s team, led by new coach Gautam Gambhir after replacing Rahul Dravid will be taking part in their first matches since winning the T20 World Cup. Currently, they are playing a five match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

India is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on July 22, with the T20I series starting on July 26 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The second and third T20Is will follow on July 27 and 29 respectively all at Pallekele.

After the T20Is, the action will move to Colombo for the ODI series. The first ODI is slated for August 1, followed by the second on August 4, and the third on August 7, all to be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.

IND vs SL schedule and venues

Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga steps down after a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024

This tour marks India’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2021, when they played 4 T20Is and 3 ODIs. India won the T20I series 3-1 but lost the ODI series 2-0.

In the first three matches of the series, Washington Sundar has emerged as the standout bowler, claiming six wickets at an average of 9 and an economy rate of 4.5. His exceptional performance has set him apart, boasting the best average and economy among bowlers from both sides. Sundar’s prowess with the ball has been a key factor in his team’s success thus far.

Washington Sundar made his T20I debut in 2017 and has played 46 T20Is since then. Despite his talent, he has never been a regular member of the Indian T20I squad. Various factors, such as injuries, inconsistent form, and stiff competition from players like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, have hindered his ability to secure a permanent spot. Consequently, he has yet to feature in a T20 World Cup.

Even when India required an off-spinner for the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, the selectors opted for the experienced R Ashwin over Sundar. In 2023, Sundar played eight T20Is, taking five wickets at an economy rate of 6.3. Despite the challenges, his recent performances indicate a resurgence, showcasing his potential to be a vital asset for the Indian team.

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Detailed Analysis of Washington Sundar’s Performance in the Series

India began the series against Zimbabwe with a disappointing 13-run defeat, but Washington Sundar had a standout performance. The 24-year-old took 2/11 in his four overs and scored 27 runs in the chase. In the second T20I, he recorded figures of 1/28, yet his best performance came in the third T20I in Harare, where he achieved his best T20I figures of 3/15 in four overs, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza attempted to put pressure on Washington Sundar immediately but paid the price with his wicket. Washington, keeping his strategy simple, bowled outside off, enticing Raza into a shot that went straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket. In the same over, Johnathan Campbell was tempted into a drive, resulting in an outside edge that was comfortably caught by the slip fielder.

Washington’s first three overs were economical, conceding just eight runs before he was taken out of the attack. During the next five overs, Dion Myers and Clive Madande took advantage of his absence, adding 49 runs to the scoreboard. The duo formed a vital partnership, putting on 77 runs for the sixth wicket. However, Washington’s return to the attack saw him break the partnership by getting Madande caught at deep square leg.

Throughout the series, Washington has maintained a consistent approach. By repeatedly hitting a good length and bowling outside off, he has focused on control, forcing the batters into making mistakes. As highlighted by the statistics, nearly 92 percent of his deliveries in the series have been on a good length. Additionally, Washington has generated more turn than Ravi Bishnoi, with an average turn of 2.5 degrees compared to Bishnoi’s 2.3 degrees in the first three matches.

Interestingly, Washington hasn’t bowled a single over in the powerplay during this series. Known for his ability to bowl defensive overs with the new ball early in his career, he has instead bowled the majority of his overs in the middle phase (9 out of 12) in these three games. This strategic shift might be the best way to utilize Washington’s skills effectively, ensuring he continues to be a key asset in the team’s bowling lineup.

India boasts quality seamers like Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj, who are well-equipped to handle powerplay overs. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, Axar Patel also showcased his ability to bowl effectively in the first six overs. This strategy allows India to maximize the potential of Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs, where they can exert more control and pressure on the opposition.

While there are few doubts about Washington’s bowling capabilities, particularly if he can stay fit, India will be looking for more contributions from him with the bat. As a left-handed batter, he has averaged 17.42 in T20s since 2023, which is respectable for someone batting at No.8. However, his strike rate of 111.2 needs improvement. Increasing his scoring rate will make him an even more valuable asset to the team, enhancing India’s overall batting depth and flexibility.

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India and Bangladesh gear up for an exciting five-match T20I series in Sylhet, marking the beginning of their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. Both teams will aim to fine-tune their combinations and gain momentum ahead of the marquee event.

Past Controversies and T20 World Cup Preparations

Controversies, with heated exchanges between players and umpires, marred the last encounter between these two sides in Bangladesh. However, as they prepare for the T20 World Cup, the focus shifts to on-field performances and strategic preparations for the upcoming series.

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Bangladesh recently faced a crushing 3-0 defeat at home against Australia, highlighting their batting struggles and the need for significant improvement in key areas.

India’s Loss to Australia and Players’ Form in the WPL

India’s last T20I series ended in a 2-1 defeat against Australia, where senior players like Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana had underwhelming performances. However, several Indian players showcased good form in the 2024 Women’s IPL (WPL), providing hope for a strong showing in the upcoming series.

Bangladesh’s batting lineup must be more consistent, as reflected in their recent scores against Australia. Captain Nigar Sultana has been a standout performer, but the team needs more contributions from other top-order batters.

Need for Improvement in Top Order

India’s top three had a disappointing series during their last tour to Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of improved performances this time around.

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana showed promising form in the WPL, boosting India’s batting lineup. However, the absence of Jemimah Rodrigues due to injury poses a challenge for India.

With notable performances in the WPL, India’s top order is better prepared for the challenges they will face in Sylhet. Leg-spinner S Asha and spin-bowling all-rounder S Sajana have earned maiden international call-ups after impressive performances in the WPL. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav’s return to the squad adds depth to India’s spin bowling options.

Balancing the Squad and XI Selection Challenges:

With the emergence of new talents, India faces selection dilemmas, particularly in accommodating the likes of Asha, Yadav, and Sajana in the playing XI. Sylhet’s pitch and weather conditions are expected to favor seamers initially, but spinners will play a crucial role as the match progresses. Both teams must adapt their strategies accordingly, considering the pitch conditions and weather forecast for the matches in Sylhet.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) recently unveiled its 15-member squad for the upcoming home T20Is against Sri Lanka, generating considerable buzz among cricket enthusiasts. This squad revelation brings to light the inclusion of a remarkable young talent, Karabo Meso, who has made waves in the cricketing world with her stellar performances.

Rising Star in South African Cricket

Karabo Meso’s journey to the international stage is nothing short of inspirational. Having showcased her skills in the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2023, Meso left an indelible mark with her exceptional wicket-keeping abilities. She was the leading wicket-keeper with eight dismissals in five matches.

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In addition to Meso’s inclusion, CSA’s squad for the T20Is against Sri Lanka sees the return of seasoned all-rounders Annerie Dercksen and Tumi Sekhukhune. However, the absence of fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi, along with Mieke de Ridder and Delmi Tucker, due to injuries and other considerations, marks significant changes to the lineup.

Significance of the T20I Series Against Sri Lanka

With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 looming on the horizon, the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka assumes paramount importance for both teams. It serves as a crucial platform for honing skills, refining strategies, and identifying key players who can excel under pressure.

Hilton Moreeng, the Proteas Women’s Head Coach, expresses his anticipation regarding the performance of budding talents like Karabo Meso. Emphasizing the team’s commitment to continuity and evolution, Moreeng looks forward to witnessing Meso’s potential unfold on the international stage.

“We still have the core of the squad to make sure we can continue with what we’ve been working on regarding the T20Is. The build-up has been coming along nicely and now it’s just for us to deservingly give opportunities for those one or two spots we want to have a look at,” Moreeng said.

Upcoming Fixtures: T20Is and ODIs

Following the T20I series, South Africa and Sri Lanka will engage in a riveting battle across as many ODIs, a segment integral to the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025 cycle.

South Africa T20I squad: Laura Wolvaardt, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon