ECB name England playing XI [Source: AFP]The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has named England’s playing XI for the upcoming first T20I of the five-match home series against Team India. The match will mark England’s first T20I appearance since losing the semifinal of this year’s 2026 T20 World Cup against the same opponents a couple of months ago. Harry Brook will continue to lead the side, while struggling top-order batter Jos Buttler retained his place in the playing XI despite going through an underwhelming phase in T20I cricket. England name strong playing XI vs IndiaEarlier this month, the ECB named a strong 17-player England squad for the upcoming five-match series against T20 World Champions India. Harry Brook is set to resume his leadership role after failing to take England into the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup earlier this year.Also Read- Chester-le-Street Pitch Report, Weather Report For IND Vs ENG 1st T20I, India Tour Of England 2026Senior man Jos Buttler also retained his place in the squad, despite aggregating just 229 runs in his last 15 T20I innings. Both cricketers will now be taking center-stage for England in their series-opening first T20I against India on Wednesday, July 1.As confirmed by the ECB on June 30, both Brook and Buttler will also be accompanied by fellow senior pros like Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and explosive T20 stars like Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton and Liam Dawson in the playing XI. Here is a look at England’s complete playing XI for the first T20I against India.England playing XI vs India in first T20I:Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid and Luke Wood.Jofra Archer rested from first T20IIt is worth noting that the England team management excluded senior paceman Jofra Archer from the playing XI for the first T20I match against India. While the ECB did not release any official statement behind Archer’s exclusion, the fast bowler was likely snubbed as part of his workload management. The 31-year-old recently played back-to-back home Tests against New Zealand in the space of just two weeks at the Oval and Nottingham, picking up 11 wickets in the process in four innings. Jofra Archer also played the entirety of the IPL 2026 season in India for the Rajasthan Royals franchise.In an otherwise high-scoring tournament, the pace demon picked up 25 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 22.36. England eye revenge, India eye redemption after Ireland setbackBoth England and India teams have a lot to play for through their upcoming five-match tussle. While England will be aiming to overcome their T20 World Cup semifinal loss against India, the ‘Men in Blue’ will look to bounce back strongly after suffering a 0-2 humiliation in Ireland last week. The first T20I between the two sides will be hosted by the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, July 1. Also Read- IND vs ENG Live Streaming, Live Telecast- 1st T20I: Where To Watch India Tour Of England 2026?
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