India vs England 1st T20I:
India vs England For cricket lovers, the most exciting squads — those of the international circuit, India and England — are set to play against each other in the 1st T20I on January 22, 2025. The game will take place at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Similar to the other matches in this arena, this too promises to be competitive given the history, reputation, and talented players of both teams.
While we wait for this battle of bolts, here is what the preview contains: team forms, key players, conditions of the pitch, and other predictions.
Match Details
- Date of the match – Wednesday, January 22, 2025
- Time: 7:00 PM IST (toss at 6:30 PM IST)
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Broadcast: Star Sports Network & Disney + Hotstar
Given that Eden Gardens is one of the most recognized stadiums in India, the match is set to begin during the evening and as noted above, is expected to be the most attended game with respect to the atmosphere and passionate fans.
The Build-Up: Teams Ready to Fire
Both India and England will each look to pick up where their predecessors left off. India recently took care of business with a 3-1 T20I series win against South Africa, while England cruised to a victory over West Indies by the same margin. These results mean both these teams will be high on confidence and ready to battle against each other in what promises to be an epic contest.
Recent form of India
There is a reason Suryakumar is called “SKY” and under him, India has been on a destruction mode in the T20Is. Considering how diverse his stroke play and ability to score runs is, it is not a surprise India has been successful in the past year. Along with new comers like the much younger Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh who have been aiding India in tricky situations, India has also welcomed back veterans like Mohammed Shami. And with Hardik Pandya being such a reliable all-rounder, it is safe to say India has a very balanced squad.
Recent Form of England
England, under Jos Buttler as captain, are probably one of the most dangerous teams in T20 cricket currently. Their aggressive batting techniques and batting and bowling depth makes them a strong force with any side. They have always had aid of bottomless pits like Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, who constantly win matches for England. Their pace attack, which includes Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, is capable of wrecking entire batting orders on their own. England has everything in order with Adil Rashid in charge of the spin department before heading in to this series.
Head to Head Record
Since the first time they faced-off in a T20I in 2007, India and England have played each other 24 times in this format. Here is the current standing:
- India Wins: 13
- England Wins: 11
- Tied/No Results: 0
This head to head record is pretty evident of how finely matched these teams are. Little historical advantage is there for India, but England has always been a challenging side to beat in Indian conditions. As an example, they managed to win most recent T20I series against India in 2022 with a score of 1-2.
Pitch Report: A Batting Paradise Awaits
It has never been a secret that Eden Gardens has been famous for high-scoring matches because of their batting friendly wickets. The surface is also relatively cylindrical and there is quick outfield making it incredibly convenient for batters. However, as the match progresses, the spinners too stand a chance as the surface begins to wear out.
Average First Innings Score: 170+
Chasing Record: Tends to lose more matches here because dew makes it difficult to grip the ball under lights.
Winning Captains of the toss are likely to put their opponents to bat first to take full advantage of these conditions.
Key Players to Watch
India
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
The world’s No. 1 T20I batter continues to bewilder fans with his brilliant moves. Expect him to lead from the front in true Suryakumar style, without inhibitions.
- Rinku Singh
Under immense pressure Rinku Singh has already proven to be one of India’s finishing greats Rinku Singh is known for his finishing abilities.
- Mohammed Shami
After a long hiatus from T20Is, Shami adds to India’s already strong string of bowlers with both experience and great skill.
- Tilak Varma
A young emerging star who already has a footprint in the domestic circuit and IPL because of his consistent performances.
What Is On The Line?
India and England have something to prove ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year in Australia and this series will be important for both:
- For India: It’s a chance to develop younger players like Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh while balancing their strength in pace.
- For England: The objective of the series is to gain confidence before the big tournaments and bring Jofra Archer back into the fold.
There will be no shortage of intensity on the field as both teams have much to prove.
Public Sentiment
There is a palpable sense of anticipation among fans as Eden Gardens will surely be sold out due fans eager to witness this momentous event between two giants of the game:
- Fans from India would wish that their team continues to win under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav.
- Fans from England would hope their aggressive style of cricket will be too strong for India on their home ground.
There is so much talk around these games and social media is buzzing with predictions like they always do during the marketing phase of the campaign as usual with the hashtags #INDvsENG and #EdenGardens already trending.
Conclusion:
The battle that lies ahead this evening between India and England is gone be extremely interesting. As any cricket fan would agree, these are the moments to savor, never forget. It is not only India that has their hands full but England as well, given that they have much to prepare for in the world events scheduled for later this year.
