India has opted to bowl in the series opener against England, and in a surprise move, Mohammed Shami has missed out on the playing XI for the 1st T20I. This decision has raised eyebrows among fans and cricket enthusiasts, as Shami is considered one of the key bowlers for the Indian team.
Suryakumar Yadav, a key player for India, has expressed the team's intentions, saying "We want to...". Although the exact words are not known, it is clear that the team is focused on putting up a strong performance in the series. India's decision to bowl first could be a strategic move to take advantage of the conditions in Kolkata, where the match is being held.
According to reports, India won the toss and chose to bowl, giving England the opportunity to set a target. The Indian team will be relying on their bowlers to restrict the English batsmen and give their own batsmen a manageable target to chase. Arshdeep Singh has already made an impact, picking up the wicket of Ben Duckett and giving India an early advantage.
The match is being closely watched by fans and experts alike, and the absence of Mohammed Shami from the playing XI has added an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how India's strategy unfolds and whether they can capitalize on their strengths to take the lead.
England, on the other hand, will be looking to make the most of their opportunity to bat first and set a competitive target. With a strong batting lineup, they will be aiming to post a big total and put pressure on the Indian batsmen. The Indian Express is providing live updates of the match, with the current score at ENG 52/2 vs IND in Kolkata.