India and England are gearing up for a 3-match T20I series, starting with the opening game on July 7 at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground in Southampton., Rohit Sharma’s return Lead India out of the COVID-19-induced isolation and while England begin a new era under skipper Jos Buttler.
India are looking to make a comeback after losing the rescheduled fifth Test against the hosts at Edgbaston. The Rose Bowl pitch is known for high scoring matches. The flat surface hardly helps the bowlers.
With Kohli expected to be back at number three from the second game, Deepak Hooda will be aiming for another match-winning effort to keep himself in the mix. Hooda with a century and 47 not out against Ireland has certainly made it difficult for the team management to keep him out of the eleven.
Gearing up for T20Is #teamindia , #Engwind pic.twitter.com/YHqaaQ0G0R
—BCCI (@BCCI) 6 July 2022
The uncapped pair of Rahul Tripathi and Arshdeep Singh have not been included for the second and third T20Is and are unlikely to play on Thursday. Suryakumar Yadav, who made a comeback from injury against Ireland, could not miss the games in Malahide and will back himself to get back to his innovative best. He and Hooda had finished runners-up in the practice against Derbyshire last week.
In the bowling department, pacer Umran Malik will be full of confidence after defending 17 runs in the last over of a high-scoring second T20I against Ireland. However, he is a work in progress and needs to improve his accuracy.
Southampton Weather Forecast (AQU Weather Screen Grab)
The fast bowlers, including the experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar and shrewd Harshal Patel, were stunned by the Irish attack and will have to do their best against stiff opposition. Yuzvendra Chahal is expected to replace Ravi Bishnoi in the playing XI.
Southampton Weather Forecast
According to Accu Weather, there will be no rain threat in the first T20I between India and England as the weather in Southampton is expected to remain cloudy on July 7. The temperature during the day will be in the range of 12-25 degree Celsius. Wind speed can be around 11 km/h.
Probable Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Dinesh Karthik, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan.
England: Jos Buttler (c), Jason Roy, David Malan, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Reece Topley, Tymal Mills, Matthew Parkinson.
— the ending —