India and England are set to face off in the first T20I of a five-match series at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST. Jos Buttler and his England squad have arrived in the “City of Joy” and are gearing up for a competitive series opener against the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side.
England’s preparations for the IND vs ENG 1st T20I are in full swing as they look to start the series on a winning note. Meanwhile, the Indian team, which has shown consistent dominance in the T20I format over the last eight to nine months, is considered the favorite heading into the match.
Beyond the on-field action, Jos Buttler shared a heartwarming interaction with Dharamvir Pal, a passionate Indian cricket fan and a physically abled former cricketer who uses a wheelchair. Dharamvir, a regular supporter of the Indian team, had a memorable moment when Buttler engaged in a conversation with him. The interaction concluded with Buttler signing an autograph for Dharamvir, creating a truly special moment for the enthusiastic fan.
India and England Seek Momentum
England’s recent form in T20Is has been inconsistent. The team, led by Jos Buttler, managed to draw their T20I series against the West Indies but lost their previous contest against Australia. In contrast, India enters this series looking to bounce back like a “wounded lion” after suffering consecutive Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia.
The English team has already announced its playing XI for the first T20I, with a notable inclusion of Ben Duckett, who is set to open alongside Phil Salt. This decision moves Jos Buttler to the number three position, followed by Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, and Jacob Bethell. Their bowling attack features Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Adil Rashid.
On the other side, India boasts a strong lineup led by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, featuring talented players like Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Arshdeep Singh. The series is especially significant as Mohammed Shami makes his return to the squad, leading the bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
