As cricket fever grips the nation, the reigning world champions India and two-time T20 World Cup winners England are all set to battle it out in a thrilling T20I series starting at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens. Both teams arrived in the city on Saturday evening, marking the beginning of their preparations for the white-ball series that includes five T20Is and three ODIs.
Cricket Returns to Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens, a venue etched in cricketing history, is all set to host its first T20I match in nearly three years. Known for its electrifying atmosphere and passionate fans, the iconic ground is ready to welcome cricket enthusiasts once again. With a crisp January chill in the air, the stage is perfectly set for a high-octane clash between two of the strongest teams in modern cricket.
Indian players trickled into Kolkata from their hometowns, with rising stars Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh among the first to arrive. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, alongside Tilak Varma, was spotted late in the evening, sharing glimpses of their journey on social media. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and other squad members followed suit, ensuring that Team India is ready to hit the ground running.
Mohammed Shami’s Long-Awaited Return
A significant moment for Indian cricket fans is the return of Mohammed Shami to the squad after a 14-month hiatus. The seasoned pacer brings unmatched experience and will undoubtedly strengthen India’s bowling attack. All eyes will be on Shami as he gears up to make his comeback in this critical series.
England Squad Touches Down
The England team, led by Jos Buttler, arrived in batches after training in Dubai. All-rounder Liam Livingstone, fresh off his stellar performance in the SA20 2025 with Pretoria Capitals, was the first to check in, adding excitement to England’s preparations. The rest of the squad joined later in the evening, ensuring they have ample time to adapt to Indian conditions.
Jos Buttler, known for his aggressive batting and sharp cricketing acumen, will lead the English side. His leadership will be crucial in guiding England through the intense white-ball series. With players like Livingstone and seasoned campaigners in their ranks, England is expected to put up a fierce fight.
Importance of the Series
This T20I series serves as a vital preparation ground for the Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai. Both teams will look to fine-tune their strategies, build team chemistry, and gather momentum ahead of the global tournament.
The teams have planned three training sessions before the opening match. England will practice during the afternoon, focusing on acclimatization to Indian conditions, while India’s training will take place in the evenings, allowing the team to prepare under floodlights.
Full Schedule of the Series
T20I Matches:
1st T20I: January 21, Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
2nd T20I: January 25, Chennai.
3rd T20I: January 28, Pune.
4th T20I: January 30, Jaipur.
5th T20I: February 2, Mumbai.
ODI Matches:
1st ODI: February 6, Nagpur.
2nd ODI: February 9, Cuttack.
3rd ODI: February 12, Ahmedabad.
India’s squad for T20I series against England
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (vc), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk).
India’s squad for ODI series vs England:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.
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