India vs England 1st T20I Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today’s Match?

India will face off against England in the first T20I of a five-match series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Wednesday, January 22. This marks the first encounter between the two sides since India narrowly defeated England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.

India, currently ranked number one in T20Is, will look to maintain their dominance, while England, led by Jos Buttler, aims to challenge the hosts as the third-ranked team in the format.

Team Updates

India has made a few adjustments to the squad that toured South Africa in November 2024. The spotlight is on pacer Mohammed Shami, making a comeback after 14 months, who will lead the bowling attack alongside Arshdeep Singh. Axar Patel has been appointed vice-captain, replacing Hardik Pandya.

For England, head coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed that Jos Buttler will focus solely on captaincy, handing over wicketkeeping duties to Phil Salt.

India boasts an impressive record at Eden Gardens, with six wins out of seven T20Is played here. However, their only loss at this venue came against England in 2011, adding an interesting twist to this contest.

Match Details

• Match: India vs England, 1st T20I
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• Date & Time: Wednesday, January 22, 7:00 PM
• Live Broadcast: Sports18 / Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar

Pitch Report

Eden Gardens is known for its batting-friendly pitches, with dew expected to play a significant role in the evening. Out of 12 T20Is hosted here, teams chasing have won seven times, making the toss a crucial factor in the game.

Head-to-Head Record

• Matches Played: 24
• India Wins: 13
• England Wins: 11
• No Result: 1

Predicted Playing XIs

India:
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy

England:
Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Key Players

• Best Batter: Suryakumar Yadav
  Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav is expected to shine in the first T20I. Despite a dip in form during the South Africa tour, Yadav’s experience and strong record at Eden Gardens (107 runs in four innings) make him a top contender.
• Best Bowler: Varun Chakravarthy
  Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy could be the game-changer. After a stellar performance against South Africa, where he claimed 12 wickets in four innings, he will look to exploit the conditions at Eden Gardens, a ground he knows well from his IPL stint with Kolkata Knight Riders.

Match Prediction

• Scenario 1: If India bowls first
  • Powerplay Score: 45-55 (ENG)
  • Final Score: 155-165 (ENG)
  • Winner: India
• Scenario 2: If England bowls first
  • Powerplay Score: 55-65 (IND)
  • Final Score: 165-175 (IND)
  • Winner: England

Conclusion

Given the conditions and recent form, the team bowling first has a higher chance of securing a win.

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on analysis and author insights. Please consider these points while making your own decisions.