IND vs ENG 2025: India's predicted XI against England for 2nd T20I

The manner in which India dominated the first T20I of the five-match series against England at the Eden Gardens would not have been foreseen by many. Being sent in to bat, the visitors were never allowed to gain control courtesy of a clinical bowling effort. England were ultimately rolled out for a mere 132 before India knocked off the target with seven wickets and 43 deliveries to spare. 

The second game will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The conditions in Chepauk are expected to be quite different from those in Kolkata as a slower surface with lesser assistance for the faster bowlers could be in store. In that regard, would India make any changes to the playing XI, or they will stick with the winning combination? 

Here’s India’s predicted playing XI for the second T20I vs England:

Openers - Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma

Sanju Samson hit some classical shots during the series opener in Kolkata. However, he could not really capitalise on the batting-friendly conditions. Despite this minor blip, he would be expected to be backed considering the recent T20I run he has been on. 

Abhishek Sharma seemed back to his exuberant best with his blazing 34-ball 79-run knock in the first game. He did not hesitate to take on the English quicks was always on the charge. More of the same would be expected from the aggressive southpaw.   

Middle-order - Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh

Suryakumar Yadav's usage of bowlers and field placements were impeccable. However, Suryakumar the batter had a forgettable game as he bagged a duck. Including domestic cricket, this one was his third in a row. However, that would be the least of the team management's concerns. Suryakumar will be one to watch out for.

Tilak Varma occupied the crease for a brief time and guided India to victory with a composed knock of 19 runs. It remains to be seen whether he would be pushed to No. 3, owing to his success in that position against South Africa. 

Apart from a spectacular effort in the field to dismiss Ben Duckett, Rinku Singh did not have much to do in the last game. After the fall of the second wicket with India still in quite a comfortable position, Rinku was expected to come out to the middle. However, he was not needed with the bat.

All-rounders - Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel

Nitish Kumar Reddy's contribution was on the similar lines of Rinku. He took a well-executed catch of Jamie Overton was followed by a brilliant diving grab to get rid of the English skipper Jos Buttler but did not get an opportunity to bat. 

Hardik Pandya was the only bowler to be roughed up, conceding 42 runs in his quota for two wickets. The match had already entered the business end when Hardik entered to bat. An improved performance from the star all-rounder could be on the cards.   

Axar Patel was the only bowler to bowl a maiden over in the previous match. His tight lines and skillful variations never let the English batters go all-out. The left-arm spinner, entrusted with the baton of vice-captaincy for the T20I series, could come in handy at the Chepauk.

Bowlers - Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy

Arshdeep Singh was right on the money with the new ball and scalped two wickets inside the powerplay to overtake Yuzvendra Chahal as India's top wicket-taker in T20Is. Coming on the back off a memorable match, Arshdeep will be riding high on confidence.

Even though Ravi Bishnoi was the only wicketless bowler in the Indian contingent, the control on flight he exhibited was commendable. He could be expected to generate a considerable amount of purchase from the track in Chennai.

Varun Chakravarthy has played all of his domestic cricket in Chennai. It would be a sweet return to his home ground. The conditions lined up are expected to favour the mystery spinner, who is coming after a memorable series opener with returns of 3/23.

India’s predicted XI against England for second T20I:

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy