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India and England will face off in a three-match ODI series starting February 6, 2025. India, led by Gautam Gambhir, enters confidently after a 4-1 T20I win.
Mohammed Shami will be in focus on his ODI return (BCCI Photo)
With the 2025 Champions Trophy just days away, India is gearing up to face England in a three-match ODI series. The series starts on Thursday, February 6 and will serve as a key preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC tournament later this month.
Gautam Gambhir’s side will enter the series with confidence after their 4-1 T20I series victory over England. Meanwhile, the visitors will be aiming for a strong comeback.
These matches will be crucial in building momentum for both teams as they fine-tune their squads for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy.
The opening ODI marks the return of Indian batting stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The host side’s bowling unit will have to deal with a gaping hole due to Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
Varun Chakravarthy has been added to the squad for the upcoming matches. He was instrumental in India’s triumph in the T20Is, racking up the Player of the Series award.
As for England, the Jos Buttler-led side will also see some changes in the line-up during the first ODI. Joe Root arrived for the three-match series ahead of the fifth T20I in Mumbai.
Promising wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, on the other hand, will likely miss ODI action due to a minor calf injury.
Head-To-Head Record:
India have played England in 107 ODIs in cricket history. The Men in Blue lead the head-to-head with 58 victories, whereas the Englishmen have managed only 44 wins. Three out of the 107 games ended in a no-result affair while the remaining two were tied.
IND vs ENG Last 5 ODIs:
2023 – India won by 100 runs
2022 – India won by five wickets
2022 – England won by 100 runs
2022 – India won by 10 wickets
2021 – India won by seven runs
Pitch report:
Batters can expect a favorable surface at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. Nagpur has traditionally aided spinners in red-ball cricket but when it comes to ODIs, batters have seemingly enjoyed an edge.
The average first-innings score at the venue stands at 288 runs, meaning that the opening ODI between India and England will likely see a lot of runs. Teams chasing in Nagpur have enjoyed greater success, winning six out of nine matches.
