The stage is set for a thrilling T20 series between India and England, commencing on January 22, 2025. England embarks on their first limited-overs tour under the leadership of Brendon McCullum, while India, riding high on an unbeaten streak since August 2023, looks to continue their dominance in the shortest format of the game. The five-match series will unfold across iconic venues in India, with the opener at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
India has emerged victorious in every bilateral T20 series since August 2023, bolstering their reputation as a formidable force in world cricket. Their recent triumphs include a 3-1 away win against South Africa and a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bangladesh at home. As they prepare to face England, the Indian team aims to maintain their winning momentum into the new year.
“Momentum is a big thing because if you start well, you can carry it. We finished 2024 well so we want to carry the momentum into this series too.” – Axar Patel
England, on the other hand, seeks to regain their footing after a noticeable dip in form following their semifinal appearance in the T20 World Cup last June. The upcoming tour presents an opportunity for them to reestablish their prowess in the T20 format under McCullum's guidance. The series will challenge England's resilience as they face an Indian side that has proven to be a tough adversary.
“I’m desperate for us to play a really watchable brand of cricket,” – Brendon McCullum
Historically, encounters between India and England have been closely contested. Since their first T20 international clash during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, the teams have faced each other 24 times. India holds a slight edge with 13 victories, while England has won 11 matches. The upcoming series promises to be another intense contest between these cricketing powerhouses.
The series schedule is as follows: The first match will take place at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on January 22, followed by the second match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on January 25. The third match will be hosted at SCA Stadium, Rajkot on January 28, with the fourth match scheduled at MCA Stadium, Pune on January 31. The series finale will be held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on February 2.
Adding intrigue to the series is the return of seasoned pace bowler Mohammad Shami to India's squad after a long injury layoff. His experience and skill are expected to be pivotal in maintaining India's dominance in the T20 format.
The Indian team plans to adopt a flexible approach with their batting lineup, allowing players to adapt according to match situations and bowling attacks.
“The openers are fixed, but everyone from numbers three to seven have been told that they can come into bat anytime, in any situation.” – Axar Patel
This strategic flexibility aims to optimize match-ups and exploit bowling weaknesses effectively.
“Our middle order will come to bat depending on the match situation, what kind of bowlers are bowling at the time, which match-up works well. We have spoken about how we can all be floaters.” – Axar Patel
As both teams gear up for this high-stakes series, the cricketing world eagerly awaits to see how these strategies unfold on the field.
“But we’ve discussed that the past is past; however, we want to move ahead with the positives we gained from there. We have taken forward the points that brought us success.” – Axar Patel
