After a disappointing run in Test cricket, where India lost six of their last eight matches, the focus now shifts to limited-overs formats. India is preparing to host England for a five-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series, before heading to Dubai for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
India dominated the T20 format in 2024, securing 22 wins, including the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup. Their most recent T20I series against South Africa saw them defeat the Proteas 3-1 in their own backyard. On Saturday, January 11, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against England.
1. Nitish Kumar Reddy
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to return to India’s T20I squad after last featuring in the home series against Bangladesh, where he impressed with both his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate in the later stages. Reddy missed the South Africa tour, having been part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 squad. He recently marked his maiden international century against Australia in Melbourne.
2. Harshit Rana
Speedster Harshit Rana makes his comeback to India’s T20I squad after missing the South Africa tour. Rana gained attention for his title-winning performances with Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024. He was part of India’s T20I squad for the Bangladesh series but couldn’t debut due to a viral infection. Rana made his international debut against Australia in Perth and later featured in a couple of Tests.
3. Dhruv Jurel
Indian selectors have great faith in 23-year-old Dhruv Jurel, who played as a specialist batter in the first Test of the BGT 2024-25 in Perth. He has been named in the T20I squad for the upcoming series against England. Jurel made his T20I debut during the Zimbabwe tour in July 2024, scoring six runs in one innings. He will be Sanju Samson’s backup keeper for the IND vs ENG series.
4. Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar emerged as one of India’s key performers in the recently concluded Test season. The all-rounder impressed with his contributions in the home series against New Zealand, followed by a series of gritty batting performances in the BGT 2024-25. Sundar missed the South Africa tour due to his involvement in the Test series in Australia, having last played a T20I for India in the home series against Bangladesh in 2024. With Ravi Ashwin’s retirement, Sundar has become India’s frontline off-spinning all-rounder across formats, having played 52 T20Is in his career so far.
5. Mohammed Shami
The standout comeback in the squad is that of pacer Mohammed Shami. The seamer, who last played for India in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final, has since undergone extensive rehabilitation at the NCA to recover from ankle and knee issues. Shami last played a T20I in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2022. His return is set to provide a major boost to India’s fast bowling lineup for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
