Big news from Team India—Rishabh Pant won’t be in the playing XI for the first ODI against England on February 6. This three-match series is a crucial warm-up ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, where both teams will fine-tune their squads.
KL Rahul Takes the Gloves Instead
Pant was last seen in India’s ODI squad during the Sri Lanka series in 2024. He played in the final game, replacing KL Rahul, but his comeback was forgettable—just six runs off nine balls in a heavy 110-run loss.
For the opening ODI against England, the team management has decided to stick with KL Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. And no, Pant isn’t injured. This move seems to be purely a strategic call for better team balance.
India’s Playing XI for the First ODI
Here’s the squad for the series opener in Nagpur:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shreyas Iyer
- Shubman Gill
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Shami
The big highlight was Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana make their ODI debuts. A massive opportunity for both youngsters to make an impact.
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Pant’s Last ODI vs England Was Legendary
The last time Pant faced England in an ODI, he stole the show. Back in 2022, during the Manchester series decider, India was chasing 260 runs. Under pressure, Pant delivered a masterclass—an unbeaten 125 off 113 balls, sealing a 2-1 series win for India.
Toss Update: England Bats First, Kohli Sits Out
Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat first. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is missing out due to right knee soreness. His absence? A big test for India’s young batting lineup.
What’s Next?
- February 9 – 2nd ODI in Cuttack
- February 12 – 3rd ODI in Ahmedabad
With the Champions Trophy around the corner, this series is more than just a bilateral contest. It’s a litmus test for both teams before the big showdown.
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