England take on India in the first of a five-match T20 series in Kolkata today, with Brendon McCullum hoping to make the perfect start leading the side.
The match sees England Test coach McCullum in charge of his first match in international white-ball cricket, having previously had success in franchise cricket. And the first challenge sees England face India, who won the 2024 T20 World Cup, beating the tourists at the semi-final stage.
The match also marks the start of preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which begins on 19 February and will be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Follow all the latest action from Eden Gardens below:
Team news
England named their XI on match eve, with captain Jos Buttler again relinquishing the gloves and sliding down to number three. Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton join Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in a pace-packed seam attack with Liam Livingstone and Jacob Bethell supporting Adil Rashid as spin options.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 12:15
Team news
In the absence of a number of their Test stars, India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav. They are boosted by the return of Mohammed Shami, who has looked quick while building up his fitness domestically, while vice-captain Axar Patel has hinted that the batting order will be flexible with significant versatility in the squad.
Chris Wilson22 January 2025 12:10
Is India vs England on TV?
When is India vs England?
The first T20I between India and England is due to begin at 1.30pm GMT on Wednesday 22 January at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the action live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 1pm GMT. Subscribers can stream via discovery+.
Chris Wilson22 January 2025 12:05
England embark on a new era in white ball cricket as Brendon McCullum takes the reins at the start of the T20 series against India
Already coach of England’s Test team, McCullum has assumed duties in the shorter format and will hope to form a winning partnership with captain Jos Buttler, who retained his role despite a difficult World T20 last year.
They take on the reigning champions in this format as the two sides begin their preparations in earnest for the Champions Trophy, which begins in a month’s time.
The 50-over event, returning to the calendar for the first time since 2017, will be hosted in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, after India refused to travel to their neighbours for the tournament.
Harry Latham-Coyle22 January 2025 11:55
India vs England LIVE
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s T20 match between England and India.
England face the world champions in Kolkata in the first of the five-match series, in what marks Brendon McCullum’s first match in charge of the white-ball side.
We’ll have all the latest build-up and updates here.
Chris Wilson22 January 2025 11:24
