India kick-starts Champions Trophy prep with a 3-match ODI series vs England!
India and England gear up for a thrilling 3-match ODI series, starting in Nagpur!
05 February, 2025
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India sealed the T20I series 4-1 in dominant fashion under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, with Abhishek Sharma’s stunning century stealing the show in the final game. With the T20Is done, focus now shifts to the ODI series—a key test for both teams ahead of the Champions Trophy.
India’s big guns are back! Rohit Sharma returns as captain, with Virat Kohli playing his first ODI since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shubman Gill takes over as vice-captain, while young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal could make his ODI debut. With the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant in the mix, India boasts a formidable batting lineup.
India’s bowling attack is just as formidable, with Mohammad Shami returning to the squad after missing the 2023 ODI World Cup. He’s joined by left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and a spin-heavy unit featuring Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar. Varun Chakaravarthy, who impressed in the T20I series, also earns a spot in the squad.
India’s recent ODI form has been mixed, with their last series in Sri Lanka in 2024 ending in disappointment—losing 2-0 and one game tied. The batting lineup struggled, and the team will be keen to bounce back against England.
India and England have faced off 108 times in ODIs, with India holding the edge, winning 58 matches. The last bilateral series between the two was in 2022, where India triumphed 2-1 in England. More recently, they met in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India cruised to a dominant 100-run victory.
The first ODI will be played in Nagpur, known for its spin-friendly conditions, giving India’s spinners—Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep, and Chakaravarthy—a clear advantage. However, England will be boosted by the return of Joe Root, setting the stage for an exciting battle.
With the Champions Trophy approaching, this series serves as the ideal platform for both teams to fine-tune their squads and strategies. India, in particular, will look to build confidence and momentum as they chase their first Champions Trophy title since 2013.
