IND vs ENG: Why Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy are not playing in 2nd T20I
In the second T20I of England’s tour of India, held in Chennai, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and opted to field first. The hosts had a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the opening game, thanks to a stellar bowling performance that restricted England to just 132 runs in their innings. Rinku Singh did not have the opportunity to bat in the first IND vs ENG T20I match in Kolkata. India faced a couple of changes for the Chennai match with the exclusion of Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy from the playing XI. The pair were replaced by Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel in the starting lineup. Why are Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy not playing in 2nd T20I in Chennai? Rinku Singh has been ruled out of the second and third T20Is of the five-match series due to a low back spasm, which he sustained while fielding in the first T20I. Nitish Kumar Reddy, meanwhile, has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to a side strain. Reddy has been replaced by Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube, while Rinku’s spot has been taken by Ramandeep Singh. Neither Rinku nor Nitish had the opportunity to bat in the first T20I, as India comfortably chased down the modest target of 133 runs with seven wickets in hand. Abhishek Sharma led the charge, top-scoring with a brilliant 79-run knock to secure an easy victory for the hosts. Nitish, who impressed during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, made his T20I debut against Bangladesh last year. Rinku Singh, on the other hand, has been a regular fixture in the Indian T20I squad following his outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Playing XI of both teams for second T20I: India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy. England: Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Mark Wood. Welcome to E2Bet! Get ready for a fun-filled gaming experience!
IND vs ENG: Top 5 Player Battles to Watch in 1st T20I
T20I series rarely generate as much excitement as the upcoming India vs. England clash. The five-match series features two limited-overs giants—India and England—both of whom are among the only three teams to have won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup twice. Although England embraced an aggressive white-ball approach years ago, India have adopted a similar style in recent years, making this series even more compelling. With Eden Gardens in Kolkata now a batting paradise, as evidenced during IPL 2024, records could tumble in the opening game. 1. Sanju Samson vs Mark Wood Sanju Samson is in red-hot form, with three centuries in his last five T20I innings. He faces a tough challenge in Mark Wood, who returns to international cricket after an injury layoff. Wood’s express pace and hard lengths will test Samson, who thrives on pace and enjoys the ball coming onto the bat. Their contest in the powerplay promises fireworks. 2. Suryakumar Yadav vs Jofra Archer Suryakumar Yadav’s maiden international runs came with a stunning scoop six off Jofra Archer in 2021. As Archer returns to spearhead England’s attack, his pace and versatility with both the new and old ball will be pitted against Suryakumar’s unparalleled 360-degree stroke play. This battle could shape the outcome of the match. 3. Hardik Pandya vs Adil Rashid A fascinating middle-over duel awaits between Hardik Pandya and Adil Rashid. Pandya, known for his big hits against spinners, will look to dominate, while Rashid’s experience and guile make him a potent threat in the shortest format. This matchup could prove decisive in setting the tone for the game. 4. Arshdeep Singh vs Phil Salt Arshdeep Singh, after a stellar 2024 T20I campaign with 36 wickets in 18 matches, will lead India’s attack with the new ball. He will take on the explosive Phil Salt, who smashed 350 runs at a strike rate of 185 in IPL 2024 at Eden Gardens. Swing versus aggression – this clash in the powerplay will be pivotal. 5. Varun Chakravarthy vs Harry Brook Varun Chakravarthy, fresh off a successful comeback with 17 wickets in his last seven matches, including a five-for, will look to outsmart Harry Brook. Brook, England’s rising star, had a phenomenal 2024, averaging 54 in T20Is at a strike rate of 150. Can Varun’s mystery spin prevail against Brook’s aggressive approach? All eyes will be on this contest at Eden Gardens. Welcome to E2Bet! Play exciting games and experience endless fun!