Hardik Pandya and Sanju Samson [Source: @Rishikivani, @mufaddal_vohra/X]
After securing a clinical 3-1 victory on South African soil, India are all set to take on England in a five-match T20I series at home. The much-awaited series begins next month, with India taking on the Englishmen in five T20Is at Kolkata, Chennai, Rajkot, Pune and Mumbai.
The Indian cricket team outclassed its South African counterparts across departments, emerging triumphant in the five-match series by a comprehensive 3-1 margin. However, moving on to the England T20Is, India might make a few changes, due to some valid reasons, as mentioned below.
Nitish Reddy Back, Hardik Pandya Rested?
Since making his international debut, India's promising all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been incredible with bat and ball across formats. The young cricketer announced himself with a blistering knock in his maiden T20I series against Bangladesh and has been prolific in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Reddy missed the South Africa T20Is as he travelled with the Test team for the BGT 2024-25. However, as the England T20Is is scheduled more than two weeks after BGT's conclusion, Reddy will likely make his way back into the T20I setup.
On the other hand, Hardik Pandya might be rested for the T20I series and picked only for the ODI leg in order to prepare for the Champions Trophy. As the Champions Trophy is set to begin in February, Pandya's inclusion in the T20I squad for five matches will make little sense.
Abhishek Sharma Dropped, Ruturaj Gaikwad In?
India's prominent openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal might also miss out of T20I selection, as they will likely audition for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad by featuring in the England ODIs.
On the other hand, Abhishek Sharma might lose his place in T20Is after his inconsistent run for India in the shortest format. In his last seven T20I innings, Abhishek has managed only 132 runs at a miserable average of 18.85. So, India might consider replacing him with Chennai Super Kings' IPL captain Ruturaj Gaikwad for the England series. Gaikwad did nothing wrong as a T20I player, and he has scored 356 runs in his previous six innings in the shortest format at a magnificent average and strike rate.
Samson, SKY, Axar And Arshdeep To Form India's Core
India's other Champions Trophy-bound players, including Jasprit Bumrah, will likely be rested and picked only for the three-match ODI leg. Meanwhile, swashbuckling batters Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh will shoulder India's batting with skipper Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounders Ramandeep Singh and Axar Patel.
On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh will likely lead India's bowling department, with Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Dayal and Mayank Yadav (if not fit then Vijaykumar Vyshak) assisting him.
India's Probable Squad For England T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, Yash Dayal, Mayank Yadav/Vijaykumar Vyshak