Joe Root: England recall star batter for IND vs ENG 1st ODI. The experienced batter will play a crucial role as England face India in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday. This match also marks a special moment for captain Jos Buttler, who will play his 200th ODI.
England have made a bold move by promoting Jacob Bethell to open the batting alongside Ben Duckett. Joe Root’s return adds stability to the middle order. Left-hander Bethell becomes Duckett’s fifth opening partner in recent times, following Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Zak Crawley and Rehan Ahmed. The team has also chosen a spin-heavy attack to counter India’s strong batting lineup featuring Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, with Will Jacks, Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid in the playing XI.
Jofra Archer returns to the ODI side for the first time since November last year, after impressing in England’s 4-0 T20I series victory. He will lead the pace attack alongside Josh Tongue, as Gus Atkinson misses out. With Joe Root back in the squad, England’s batting looks more solid and experienced. The three-match ODI series continues in Cardiff on July 16 and ends at Lord’s on July 19.
Jos Buttler’s 200th ODI is a major milestone. Since his debut against Pakistan in February 2012, he has scored 5,515 runs at an average of 39.11, with 11 centuries and 29 half-centuries. England XI: Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid.