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IND vs ENG Dream11 Prediction: 3 Top Captain Or Vice-Captain Choices For 1st T20I

Soumyajit Dutta∙ Updated: Jan 21 2025, 10:00 PM

Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson are among the top choices for captains of fantasy teams [Source: @SIVAMayaSquad/X.com]Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson are among the top choices for captains of fantasy teams [Source: @SIVAMayaSquad/X.com]

After meeting in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024, India is again set to take on England in the five-match T20I series. The series opener is scheduled for January 22 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The live-action is set to commence at 7:00 PM IST.

India

Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Men in Blue will be confident taking on England with both teams coming off after fresh wins from their last T20I encounter. India obliterated a low-spirited South Africa with a 3-1 series win. They dominated South Africa in the 4th T20I by 135 runs. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma set up the game with the bat with their centuries and Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya fired with the ball to dismantle the Proteas' core batting lineup.

With the match set against the heavyweight England team, Tilak Varma, and Samson, are expected to repeat their heroics with the bat as fans will also look up to Nitish Reddy and Abhishek Sharma. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami will be leading the bowling attack to give the English men a tough time on the Eden Gardens pitch.

England

Meanwhile, England also cleared up the West Indies in their last T20I outing sweeping the Windies 3-1 in the series. Led by the dynamic Jos Buttler, England also has answers ready for India's bowling attacks. England boasts a formidable lineup featuring explosive batters like Harry Brook, Phil Salt, and Ben Duckett, complemented by all-rounders like Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton. 

Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Adil Rashid, promises also boast the power to challenge even the most seasoned Indian batters.

Eden Gardens - Pitch Report For IND vs ENG, 1st T20I

The iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata typically benefits both batters and bowlers, but in T20I matches, teams chasing have often emerged victorious. The pitch being fresh, should aid fast bowlers earlier in the match but as it wears down, spinners will come into play. 

For batters, the bounce on the pitch will work in their favour as seen historically, teams batting first have racked up an average score of 156 in T20Is. Though the early bowling conditions might tempt the teams to bat first, looking at the stats, choosing to bowl first after winning the toss will be a wiser decision.

Top 3 Captain and Vice-Captain Choices For IND vs ENG

3) Hardik Pandya

Why Hardik Pandya Will Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-captain?

Power-Hitting Abilities: Hardik Pandya’s power-hitting abilities make him a crucial asset in the middle order for India. His recent performances, both for India and in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024, have showcased his potential to change the course of a match single-handedly. Representing Baroda in the SMAT, Pandya amassed 246 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 49.20 and a phenomenal strike rate of 193.70. Hence, his ability to accelerate the scoring in the death overs adds immense value, making him a top fantasy pick.

Key All-rounder: Pandya’s all-round abilities further bolster his case as a captain or vice-captain in fantasy teams. Besides his batting exploits, he has been effective with the ball, especially at Eden Gardens, where he has claimed seven wickets in eight matches. His recent performances in domestic cricket, including figures like 3/27 against Bengal and 1/29 against Mumbai in the SMAT, further solidify his likeliness of getting success against England.

2) Jos Buttler

Why Jos Buttler Will Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-captain?

Innings Builder: Jos Buttler’s ability to build innings makes him a reliable pick for fantasy teams. In England's recent T20I series against the West Indies, he showcased his consistency and skill, scoring 125 runs in four innings at an average of 31.25 and an impressive strike rate of 168.92. His standout knock of 83 off 45 balls in the second T20I demonstrated his ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a rapid scoring rate. Hence, Buttler can accumulate substantial fantasy points as a dependable batter.

Explosive Top-Order Batter: In addition to his ability to build innings, Buttler’s explosiveness at the top of the order makes him a formidable force in T20Is, particularly at Eden Gardens. Across five innings at the venue, he has accumulated 276 runs at a remarkable average of 69.00 and a strike rate of 169.30. His latest innings at Eden Gardens, an unbeaten 107 off 60 balls in 2024, highlights his threat on the pitch cementing Buttler as a top choice for the captain or vice-captain role in any fantasy team lineup.

1) Sanju Samson

Why Sanju Samson Will Be A Good Choice As The Captain Or Vice-captain?

Potential Top-Scorer: Sanju Samson has silenced critics with remarkable performances in T20Is, becoming one of the standout players in the shortest format. In five T20I matches this year, Samson has smashed three centuries. His century against Bangladesh was impressive, but his double tons during the tour of South Africa truly solidified his credentials. These innings displayed his ability to balance aggression with composure, making him a valuable asset at the top of the order who can build innings and rack valuable fantasy points.

Familiar With The Pitch: Sanju Samson has been playing at Eden Gardens since 2013 racking up 365 runs in his 11 innings. He boasts an impressive strike rate of 144.3 on the ground proving his ability to strike explosively at the top order. The familiarity with the pitch will help Sanju settle quickly on the crease and bag more runs as the innings progresses, making him a potential innings builder and a great choice as a fantasy captain.