Rohit, Kohli return for India's ODI rebuild against England
The first One-Day International between India and England begins on Tuesday at Edgbaston in Birmingham, marking India's return to the 50-over format after their early exit from the T20 World Cup. The three-match series serves as a crucial phase for India as they rebuild their ODI squad ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in the playing XI after being rested for the preceding T20I series. Their inclusion brings experience to a batting line-up that has faced questions about consistency in recent matches. Captain Rohit Sharma will open the innings, while Kohli is expected to bat at number three.
KL Rahul, who missed the T20I leg due to a groin injury, has recovered and will keep wickets in the middle order. His return adds depth and stability to the batting unit. The squad also includes Shubman Gill, who has been in strong form, and Hardik Pandya, who will contribute as an all-rounder.
On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah is leading the attack after his return from injury. He is supported by spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, who are expected to play key roles on the Edgbaston pitch. England, meanwhile, have named a full-strength squad led by Jos Buttler, with Ben Stokes and Joe Root returning to the ODI side.
The match starts at 3:30 PM IST. This series is important for both teams as they fine-tune strategies for the upcoming ICC events.
