/betbarter/media/agency_attachments/3YXcMKaocLoKtpo5Mw2o.png)
/betbarter/media/post_banners/OCSJIr27nO0FXxvpMNqu.jpg)
T20I Series
After securing their spot in the WTC finals, the Indian cricket team will now shift their gears to the game's shortest format. India will face England in the 5-match T20I series, starting March 12. Both sides will have some fresh faces with limited-overs specialists coming in. The visitors will have their T20I and ODI captain Eoin Morgan back, while the hosts have three new entries in the squad. Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rahul Tewatia got their first call. Ahmedabad will host all five T20 matches in the series.
Three Indian players who are likely to play crucial roles in the England T20I series
Suryakumar Yadav
Mumbai Indians star batsman Suryakumar Yadav is likely to compete for the No.4 spot with Shreyas Iyer. Looking to make his international debut in the England series, Yadav had to excel in the domestic circuits to grab his call. Specified as a "role model for youngsters" by VVS Laxman, the right-handed batsman has prepared well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 30-year-old is most likely to feature in the opening match on Friday.
Hardik Pandya
India's blue-chip all-rounder has not bowled in a while, and it will be interesting to see how he will perform against England. Hardik Pandya played as a batsman in the T20I series against Australia. The 27-year-old scored a total of 78 runs in the three games, with a high score of 42 not out.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar last featured for India in 2019, where he bagged a brace of wickets in the team's 67-run win against West Indies. Since then, Kumar is yet to play a T20 game for Team India. The cricketer will play as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. Kumar will be making his comeback to competitive cricket after sustaining a thigh injury in the IPL 2020. He recently made four appearances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and five in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Kumar wasn't the leading wicket-taker for his side, but his economical bowling stood out in his performances. This trait could be significant in building pressure in the forthcoming series against England.