KL Rahul In, Shreyas Iyer Returns; Jasprit Bumrah Out: India's Likely Squad For England ODI Series

India will play three ODIs against England befor the Champions Trophy Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS India will host England in three ODIs

The squad will be picked alongside the Champions Trophy team

Rohit Sharma is expected to continue leading the team

While major changes are expected in India's Test team in the next few months, that issue will be on the back burner for some time as the focus shifts towards white-ball cricket. The Rohit Sharma-led side will aim to win a second consecutive ICC tournament in the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Just days before the mega event, India will host England in a three-match ODI series from February 6 to 12. This will be the Men in Blue's first assignment in the 50-over format since the humiliating defeat to Sri Lanka in August last year. In 2024, India played just three ODI matches and are short on match practice in the format.

The team for the England series is likely to be the same as the one that will play the Champions Trophy, with the three matches offering the team a chance to get back in the groove of playing the format. However, there will be one exception, as Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested ahead of the mega event following an injury in the fifth Test against Australia after a gruelling series where his workload became a matter of debate.

Another potential change from the ODI squad to face England from the team that will play the Champions Trophy could be Mohammed Siraj. The star pacer also played all 5 Tests in Australia and was carrying a niggle.

Prasidh Krishna, who was part of India's 2023 World Cup squad, could replace Bumrah in the side, while if needed, Harshit Rana could come in for Mohammed Siraj. While Harshit is yet to play for Team India in the ODI format, he was part of the squad that travelled to Sri Lanka.

Elsewhere, the same core that played the 2023 World Cup are set to play the ODI series against England with skipper Rohit Sharma , Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer forming the core of the batting unit. A temptation to bring Yashasvi Jaiswal in the set-up will be there but a vacant spot in the top-order does not exist unless Ajit Agarkar takes the bold call to drop a big-name player.

KL Rahul 's performances in the ODI format are second to none, and he should be India's first-choice wicket-keeper batter. With Ishan Kishan out of the scheme of things, the second wicket-keeper batter spot could be a toss-up between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. Samson scored a century in his last ODI outing for the Men in Blue against South Africa in December 2023, but he failed to find a spot in the squad that travelled to Sri Lanka. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper is not playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) and missed the chance to make a mark in the format.

Rishabh Pant has played just one ODI since his comeback but was in the squad against Sri Lanka and should retain his spot.

Hardik Pandya remains India's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in white-ball cricket and is a no-brainer pick. After his injury disrupted India's balance in the 2023 World Cup, the Men in Blue are likely to pick a back-up batting all-rounder, who can bowl pace. Following his stunning impact in his debut series in both T20Is and Tests, Nitish Kumar Reddy could also earn a maiden ODI call-up.

India are expected to pick two spin-bowling all-rounders and two among Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar are set to get the nod. With both Jadeja and Axar bowling left-arm spin, one of them could miss out. The former, likely to be backed on the basis of experience and pedigree.

Kuldeep Yadav's selection as the lone wrist-spinner is no debate but there is still no clarity on his fitness following a surgery recently. Ravi Bishnoi or Varun Chakravarthy are likely back-up options if Kuldeep is not in the squad.

Mohammed Shami has proven his fitness across all three formats in domestic cricket and is likely to make a comeback to the national team after almost 15 months. Arshdeep Singh's stunning display in T20I cricket for India in 2024 should ensure he retains his spot in the ODI squad too.

India Likely Squad For England ODI Series: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Shami

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