New Delhi: England have already named their playing XI for the opening T20I against India, with fast bowler Jofra Archer set to play at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Durham.Now, the focus is on Indian captain Shreyas Iyer, who will announce India’s playing XI at the toss. Will India retain the same team that lost the T20I series in Ireland? Or will young batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi make his international debut?
Srikkanth names his India XI
Former India all-rounder Kris Srikkanth has chosen the XI he wants to see in the first T20I against England.After India’s disappointing 0-2 defeat in Ireland, Srikkanth believes that the batting should consist of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube.He also helped the return of Varun Chakravarthy along with Axar Patel as two spinners, while Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav and Arshdeep Singh completed his attack.Kris Srikkanth’s India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy.
‘Vaibhav should have played against Ireland’
Srikkanth believes Sooryavanshi missed a big chance in the second T20I against Ireland.The 15-year-old was called up to India after an impressive IPL 2026, where he scored 776 runs in 16 matches for Rajasthan Royals at an average of 237.30 and helped the team reach the tournament.“He (Suryavanshi) should have 100% played in the second T20I against Ireland. Abhishek Sharma should have rested when he scored a match-winning 50 in the first match. Instead, Suryavanshi should play. Abhishek Sharma is sure anyway so Vaibhav Suryavanshi could have got a chance to play in his YouTube Srikkanth match against Ireland.
Why doesn’t Srikkanth want to change now
Although he wanted Sooryavanshi to play for Ireland, Srikkanth feels that India should not change the opening combination at the start of the England series.“For all you know, he might have won the game because he did well in tough times in the IPL. But since he has never played for Ireland, I will not play him in the first two T20Is against England,” he said.
