India vs England First T20I Tips - High octane hitting contest to grace Kolkata

By Sridhar Bhamidi

20 Jan 2025

Sridhar Bhamidi 20 Jan 2025

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India vs England First T20I match predictions to be played in Kolkata on Wednesday, January 22
England won 4 of their last 5 completed T20Is
India lost 2 of their last 3 T20Is against England

Can England start the series with a win? (Getty Images)

India vs England First T20I

The cricket season is getting ready for the ICC Champions Trophy to be played in Pakistan/Dubai, but two of the favourites India and England, are set to renew rivalry in T20Is. The five-match series starts with the first one at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

India vs England First T20I
Head to Head
India Form
India Team News
England Form
England Team News
India vs England First T20I FAQs

The format is fickle, and it is tough to see any favourites for this match, but both teams should be confident of scoring aggressively. The visitors have a better chance of starting with a win, looking at how a few of their players have played this format more regularly. I am backing the visitors to start the series with a win.

England won 4 of their last 5 completed matches (T20Is)
England won 6 of their last 8 completed away matches (T20Is)
India lost 2 of their last 3 matches against England (T20Is)
Sanju Samson has 3 centuries in his last 5 matches (T20Is)

Head to Head

India played England in 24 T20Is so far with 13 wins for India and 11 victories for England. The last time they played was in the semi-final of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup when India won by 68 runs.

England last came to India in March 2021 for a five-match series, all matches played in Ahmedabad in lockdown. India won the series 3-2 after being 2-1 behind after three matches.

India Form

India were last seen in Australia, where they had a 3-1 Test series loss that saw them lose the Border–Gavaskar Trophy. There’s so much that changed in terms of personnel for the T20s, as they take the field under Suryakumar Yadav.

The Men in Blue could be forgiven for using this tournament as a springboard for preparing for the Champions Trophy. This side was last seen in South Africa, when they won a four-match series 3-1 in November.

The likes of Jitesh Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Yash Dayal are replaced from that squad, as the Men in Blue prepare to see how Mohammed Shami responds to international cricket.

India Team News

In the squad of 15, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and one of Washington Sundar or Ravi Bishnoi are likely to sit out.

England Form

It’s a new regime in England white-ball cricket, as Brendon McCullum takes charge of the white-ball teams along with the Test teams. He has promised that his side will play aggressive cricket, which makes it very interesting.

This match will be England’s 200th T20I, and they are playing in this format after last November. They won 3-1 against the West Indies, with one match ending without any result.

There are six changes from the T20I squad that played in that series, with the likes of Sam Curran and Will Jacks replaced. Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Mark Wood, among others, make a return to the side.

England Team News

Jos Buttler is set to play as a pure batter, which means Jamie Smith is likely to be their ‘keeper. Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, and one of Jofra Archer or Mark Wood are likely to sit out.

India vs England First T20I FAQs

Where can I watch the India vs England First T20I live stream?

Our live streaming calendar shows you where to watch the India vs England First T20I live stream.

What time does India vs England First T20I start?

This India vs England First T20I match is being played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata starting at 7 p.m. IST on Wednesday, January 22.

Verdict

At a venue where pace is likely to play a big part and runs likely to flow, England and India could dish out a high-scoring match. I am backing England to prevail here, thanks to their superior variety of multi-skilled players available.

England Win

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