India will play a three-match ODI series against England, starting July 14. Here’s their predicted playing XI for the first ODI in Birmingham.
India squad for England ODIs
Shubman Gill (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prince Yadav.
What combination will India go in with?
After a humiliating T20I series defeat against the same opposition, India will now shift focus to the 50-over format. With the ODI World Cup scheduled to be played next year, the three-match series falls under the preparation scanner for the coveted tournament.
India have their ODI stalwart back in the form of Virat Kohli, while Rohit Sharma will retain his spot as well. In addition to that, KL Rahul, who was not a part of the T20I squad will be the first choice for the No.5 spot, a position to which he has done complete justice to.
With Rohit-Kohli returning, the top three for India would be a no-brainer. Shreyas Iyer is expected to take up the No.4 spot, with Shivam Dube expected to be drafted in at six.
Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar are the three spin options for Gill, two of which are expected to play. India may prefer fielding Sundar over Kuldeep to add depth to their batting.
Out of the speedsters, Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav - both of whom have made their ODI debuts recently in the series against Afghanistan last month - may have to wait for their turn.
A race against time to figure out their ODI No.6
With the ODI World Cup just over a year away, one of the most significant challenges for the Men in Blue would be figuring out their seam-bowling all-rounder.
Their first choice, Hardik Pandya, last played an ODI in March 2025, which was the final of the ICC Champions Trophy. Since the IPL this year, Hardik has been dealing with injuries which have kept him away from the game.
To add to that, his back-up, Nitish Kumar Reddy has also been sidelined from the squad with a quadricep injury. They were forced to fly in Suryansh Shedge for the T20I series as a result. With the clock ticking, Shubman Gill & Co. will have to figure out who their No.6 for the ODI World Cup would be if Pandya remains sidelined.
Shivam Dube, who is drafted in as the replacement of Reddy, who was originally named in the squad, and Shedge seem to be the next in line. The priority would be given to Hardik and Nitish, but their constant injuries have not made it easy for the management either.
Seam-bowling all-rounders are an extremely rare commodity. The lack of one poses a major problem for India as they do not have any part-time bowling option in the top five either. Hence, the No.6 batter will also play a crucial role as the sixth bowling option.
Predicted India XI for the first ODI against England
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah.
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