The first match of the India vs England ODI series began on Tuesday, and it was the hosts who won the toss and opted to bat first. Harry Brook’s side already named their playing XI a day before, which saw Joe Root and Ben Duckett make their returns to the side. Hosts had two seamers in Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, while Adil Rashid, Will Jacks, and Liam Dawson were the 3 spin options.

India left out Kuldeep Yadav from the playing XI, much to the surprise of many fans. The 31-year-old last played for the national side in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow and went wicketless. Kuldeep has so far played 121 ODI games for India and claimed 194 wickets with two fifers and an economy rate of six runs per over.

Ishan Kishan was also left out of the playing XI to make way for a returning Virat Kohli. The 37-year-old’s last game for India came against New Zealand earlier this year in Indore, where he scored a ton in a losing cause. It seems the team management wants to go in with a lengthy batting unit with Axar Patel slotted in at eight.

If Buttler is set to become the second English player to feature in 200 ODI games. Eoin Morgan, with 225 ODI games, is still leading the list. The veteran wicketkeeper and batter scored a whirlwind ton in the final T20I match against India in Southampton. The hosts have a great record in Birmingham, having won each of their last five ODIs here.

Road to the 2027 World Cup begins in England

Rohit Sharma and Virat will be playing together after nearly six months, and the eyes of the fans will be on the duo. Both batters are under pressure to keep performing with the bat in a bid to play the next ODI World Cup.

Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah is also back in the team after being rested post the IPL 2026 season for workload management. Bumrah didn’t have a great season for Mumbai Indians, claiming just four wickets, which was his lowest return in the league.

IND vs ENG- Playing XIs

England: Jacob Bethell, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Gurnoor Brar, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna