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England are all set to host India in a high-octane 5-match T20I series, beginning June 28 at the iconic Trent Bridge in Nottingham. With the rivalry already spiced up by past drama and the looming T20 World Cup in 2026, this contest promises to be much more than just another bilateral series.
England enter the series with momentum on their side, having recently thrashed West Indies in a dominant whitewash. Buoyed by consistent performances across the board, Nat Sciver Brunt‘s side will look to continue their winning run and fine-tune combinations ahead of the global event.
For India, this marks their first T20I outing of 2025. Their last T20I appearance came back in December when they hosted West Indies. Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, the Women in Blue will look to shake off the rust quickly and make a strong start in challenging English conditions.
Flashback to the 2022 Controversy
This series also brings back memories of the heated finale in 2022, when Deepti Sharma‘s controversial non-striker run-out of Charlie Dean sparked global debate. While the dismissal was within the laws of the game and upheld by the third umpire, the emotional aftermath—with Dean in tears and boos echoing across the stadium—left an indelible mark on the rivalry.
With the T20 World Cup less than a year away and scheduled to be played in England, the series serves as an ideal dress rehearsal for both teams. India, in particular, will be keen to acclimatise to English conditions and identify a core group of players capable of delivering under pressure overseas.
Both sides are stacked with talent—England boasting the likes of Tammy Beaumon, Sophie Ecclestone, and Danni Wyatt, while India brings firepower in the form of Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and young stars like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh.
Also READ: Sophie Ecclestone returns as England unveil a formidable squad for T20I series against India
England’s top-choice playing XI for the WT20I series against India:
1. Danni Wyatt-Hodge
- Role: Opening Batter
- Strength: Aggressive strokeplay in powerplay
- Expectation: Danni is expected to set the tone at the top of the order by taking on the bowlers from ball one. Her experience and ability to find gaps early in the innings can give England a flying start, putting pressure on India’s bowlers. A couple of brisk 30s or a big knock can significantly influence the match’s momentum.
2. Tammy Beaumont
- Role: Opening Batter
- Strength: Technique and experience in big matches
- Expectation: Tammy will be expected to provide stability at the top and play the anchor role if early wickets fall. Her calm presence and ability to build innings can balance Danni’s aggression. She should ideally bat through the middle overs and guide younger players at the other end.
3. Alice Capsey
- Role: Middle-order Batter & Part-time Off-Spinner
- Strength: Explosive batting and handy off-spin
- Expectation: Capsey is expected to accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs with her aggressive strokeplay. Her fearless approach can disrupt spin attacks, and she can provide crucial overs with the ball, especially if a spinner is needed to break partnerships or control the run rate.
4. Nat Sciver-Brunt (c)
- Role: All-Rounder
- Strength: Match-winning capabilities with both bat and ball
- Expectation: As the captain and a seasoned all-rounder, Nat is expected to lead by example. Whether it’s rescuing the side with the bat in tough situations or providing crucial breakthroughs with the ball, she will play a central role in England’s strategy. Her leadership in high-pressure moments will also be crucial against a quality Indian side.
5. Amy Jones (wk)
- Role: Wicketkeeper-Batter
- Strength: Swift glovework and quick scoring in the middle order
- Expectation: Amy is expected to take on the finisher’s role with the bat, ensuring England ends their innings on a high. Behind the stumps, she will be instrumental in reading spinners and assisting the captain with field placements, especially when handling the likes of Ecclestone and Dean.
6. Sophia Dunkley
- Role: Middle-order Batter
- Strength: Dynamic batting and ability to rotate strike
- Expectation: Dunkley is expected to keep the scoreboard ticking during the middle overs and act as the glue between the top and lower-middle order. Her ability to find boundaries and rotate strike will help maintain pressure on the Indian bowlers and prevent dot-ball build-up.
7. Sophie Ecclestone
- Role: Left-arm Spinner
- Strength: Accuracy, flight, and world-class wicket-taking ability
- Expectation: Sophie is England’s go-to bowler in T20s. She is expected to control the tempo of the game in the middle overs, pick up key wickets, and restrict India’s aggressive middle-order batters. Her economy and ability to strike regularly make her a match-winner.
8. Charlie Dean
- Role: Off-Spinner & Lower-order Batter
- Strength: Clever variations and steady temperament
- Expectation: Dean will support Ecclestone in forming a strong spin duo. She is expected to bowl tightly and apply pressure from the other end, especially when India’s batters try to accelerate. With the bat, she can provide handy cameos if required during the death overs.
9. Lauren Bell
- Role: Fast Bowler
- Strength: Bounce, swing, and control with the new ball
- Expectation: Bell will be responsible for striking early in the powerplay and setting the tone with the new ball. She’s expected to trouble the Indian top order with movement off the pitch and in the air, and bowl with discipline to maintain pressure throughout her spell.
10. Issy Wong
- Role: Fast Bowler
- Strength: Raw pace and energy
- Expectation: Wong is expected to inject pace into the attack and be used as an enforcer in the middle and death overs. Her ability to bowl sharp bouncers and yorkers will be vital against aggressive finishers like Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur. She could also be a game-changer with the ball.
11. Em Arlott
- Role: Seam Bowling All-Rounder
- Strength: Swing bowling and useful lower-order hitting
- Expectation: Arlott adds balance to the side with her dual skills. She’s expected to contribute in the powerplay or as a change bowler with her swing and accuracy. With the bat, she can provide quick runs in the final overs and rescue the team if a collapse occurs.
Also READ: Shuchi Upadhyay ruled out of India’s upcoming white-ball tour of England; replacement announced
