India Announces Squad for England T20I Series: Shami Returns, Suryakumar to Lead 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed a 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) series against England, set to begin on January 22, 2025.

Key Points:

Mohammad Shami Returns:

Experienced pacer Mohammad Shami makes a remarkable comeback to the T20I setup after over a year, with his last appearance being in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023.

Leadership Update:

Suryakumar Yadav has been handed the reins as captain, while all-rounder Axar Patel will serve as the vice-captain.

Wicketkeeper Selection:

Sanju Samson is named as the primary wicketkeeper, with Dhruv Jurel included as a backup. Notably, Rishabh Pant misses out on this series.

Full Squad:

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
Abhishek Sharma
Tilak Varma
Hardik Pandya
Rinku Singh
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
Harshit Rana
Arshdeep Singh
Mohammad Shami
Varun Chakaravarthy
Ravi Bishnoi
Washington Sundar
Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)

Match Schedule:

• 1st T20I: January 22, 2025 – Kolkata
• 2nd T20I: January 25, 2025 – Chennai
• 3rd T20I: January 28, 2025 – Rajkot
• 4th T20I: January 31, 2025 – Pune
• 5th T20I: February 2, 2025 – Mumbai

A three-match One Day International (ODI) series will follow the T20Is, providing vital preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy.

This squad balances seasoned campaigners and rising stars, showcasing India’s strategy to build a strong core for upcoming major tournaments.