SKY Out, Rohit, Kohli In; No Samson? India's Probable Squad Changes For ENG ODIs

Debashis Sarangi

Rohit, Kohli likely to return, Samson might be excluded [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @vidyaambu11/X]Rohit, Kohli likely to return, Samson might be excluded [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @vidyaambu11/X]

After suffering a three-one drubbing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India are preparing to face England in eight white-ball matches on home soil. The tour commences on January 22 with a five-match T20I series, followed by an ODI series of three games.

Although India have announced their T20I squad for the series, the ODI squad has yet to be revealed. As the Men in Blue gear up for the English challenge, here are three potential changes to India's ODI squad for the three-match series. 

India's T20I Squad For England Series

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (vc), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk)

Probable Changes In India's ODI Squad For England Series

Rohit To Replace Suryakumar As Captain?

  • Explosive batter Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in the upcoming T20I series against England. The middle-order batter has been a proven match-winner for the Men in Blue and he will be crucial for the team's success in the five-match series. 
  • However, regarded as India's Mr 360, Suryakumar won't likely find a place in India's ODI team that will take on England in a three-match series. This series will be India's final dress rehearsal for the Champions Trophy. Surya has been a pale shadow of himself in the 50-over format and is might be excluded from the ODI squad. 
  • On the other hand, legendary batter Rohit Sharma will likely mark his return and play the ODI series to prepare for the Champions Trophy. He will likely lead the Indian team and open the batting alongside Shubman Gill. 

No Place For Sanju Samson?

  • India's swashbuckling keeper-batter Sanju Samson will open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma in the T20I series against England. The experienced batter from Kerala has been outstanding after being promoted to the top order. 
  • However, Samson hasn't been able to cement his place in India's ODI side. Furthermore, with India preferring KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant for the wicket-keeper's role, Samson is unlikely to be picked for the ODI series against England. 

Virat Kohli To Replace Tilak Varma?

  • Mumbai Indians' prominent batter Tilak Varma had a memorable tour of South Africa, where he hammered 280 runs, including two scintillating centuries, at a blistering strike rate of 198.58. 
  • Despite his impressive T20I outings, Tilak won't likely be preferred over the likes of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for the middle-order batter's role. Therefore, in all likelihood, Tilak will be replaced by talismanic Indian batter Virat Kohli, who has been the backbone of India's ODI batting at number three.